Old Hens and Spring Chickens

[Flockincrazy]

I have 3coops my main coop has 8roo's and 39hens in it plus 8ducks and 7bunnies my quail coop has 207quail 20-25roo's and 182-187hen's and in my batchler coop is 11 rescued/rehomed roosters there is 1 that is human aggressive but not for long he tried to flog my 8yo and he grabbed him and pushed his chest to the ground talk about proud momma they now push him to the ground everytime they go in the batchler coop or run he has started to walk away when they go in you can of course do what you want but showing your rooster who is boss by pinning him down to me is better than culling him or start a batchler coop and get a sweet one to breed with your hens and with combining your flocks together after quarantine is easy enough combine them at night or in the early morning when you can be out all day to make sure no one gets hurt when integrating there will always be pissing matches they have to establish a pecking order no matter what

 

[Ruthster55]

Yup, you do need the space. I've assumed the OP has it by the number of chickens and the free ranging.
It works out at about an acre a tribe here.

Depending on how projects go in the future

I have 3coops my main coop has 8roo's and 39hens in it plus 8ducks and 7bunnies my quail coop has 207quail 20-25roo's and 182-187hen's and in my batchler coop is 11 rescued/rehomed roosters there is 1 that is human aggressive but not for long he tried to flog my 8yo and he grabbed him and pushed his chest to the ground talk about proud momma they now push him to the ground everytime they go in the batchler coop or run he has started to walk away when they go in you can of course do what you want but showing your rooster who is boss by pinning him down to me is better than culling him or start a batchler coop and get a sweet one to breed with your hens and with combining your flocks together after quarantine is easy enough combine them at night or in the early morning when you can be out all day to make sure no one gets hurt when integrating there will always be pissing matches they have to establish a pecking order no matter what

I feel sad about saying this, but you need to cull (eat) the 1 rooster that is human aggressive. Then choose amongst the others.

Yes...I do some flock things at night.

 

[Flockincrazy]

Depending on how projects go in the future

I feel sad about saying this, but you need to cull (eat) the 1 rooster that is human aggressive. Then choose amongst the others.

Yes...I do some flock things at night.

He is a rescue so that won't happen he is in the batchler coop and has not gone at anyone since my son pushed him to the ground and he isn't aggressive with the other roosters so until he is he will stay alive and spoiled thats just the way we roll here

 

[Ruthster55]

Definitely don’t push or go aggro against a rooster. Don’t boot him!

Always be nice to the rooster. You can feed him “first” which means dropping feed on the ground so he can tidbit his lady friends.

But if a rooster just attacks me for coming into the yard with feed or water, he’s history.

Silly Rooster has been so good that he has fathered over 20 chicks. He is gentle and respectful. I call him Silly Rooster because his comb flops over but he has feathered feet.

 

[HuertaFarm]

Definitely don’t push or go aggro against a rooster. Don’t boot him!

Always be nice to the rooster. You can feed him “first” which means dropping feed on the ground so he can tidbit his lady friends.

But if a rooster just attacks me for coming into the yard with feed or water, he’s history.

Silly Rooster has been so good that he has fathered over 20 chicks. He is gentle and respectful. I call him Silly Rooster because his comb flops over but he has feathered feet.

Unfortunately our too does not care what you have or who you are. He will attack. He jumped at my husbands face the other day while he was scooping feed into their bin. Plus he’s always attacking our dogs who are very chicken friendly. I was told this was something all roosters do to humans, but now that I know this isn’t the case I think we’ll start looking for a new one or two.

 

[HuertaFarm]

Ideally you want two new coops.
I keep the chickens here in a similar day and night arrangement. I have multiple coops though and each group (tribe) has their own rooster. An arrangement of this type is quite common here and in other places apart from the USA it seems. The idea of integration sounds great, but it rarely works. Groups that are the same breed tend to stick together as do chickens that arrive together and of course, in the case here with my lot, families stick together.
It's a bit late now but I would be tempted to let some of your existing hes sit and hatch. This makes the new arrivals family, avoids the quarantine (It's a must. Don't be tempted to skip it) and generally makes life easier for all.
Coops don't have to be fancy (look at my coop page) For daytime all weather free rangers they just need somewhere secure for the night and are not the slightest bit interested in your woodworking skills.

Unfortunately none of our hens show the slightest leaning towards becoming broody or I would hatch my own eggs. I guess I need to look into incubation.
Our coop is big enough that our chickens exist with no bullying since it’s kind of like two coops but connected. I just have an unrealistic dream of one united flock.

 

[HuertaFarm]

Given a large enough piece of land for foraging:

I mostly agree but think that a single rooster can take care of and guide 2-7 hens away from predators etc.

When there are 8 or more hens, it’s better to split up the harems and keep more than one rooster. Select for both human-friendly and flock protection.

I actually have this situation where I will be going from a 1-rooster flock to a flock where I will keep 3 to 5 roosters, with around 2 of them servicing breeding coops and around 2 more at libety.

Does not apply to urban or suburban flocks!

We have just about 2 acres, but thankfully our neighbors all have acreage they said the chickens are welcome to meander so they can go where they please. I didn’t know roosters could only handle a small amount of chickens. Sounds like I need to branch into a couple flocks with several roosters.

 

[aart]

The pullets (who are still not laying despite being well into laying age) practice 'social distancing' from the rest of the flock.

They won't merge' until the youngers start laying.

I definitely will be quarantining the new ladies.

..and not just in the partitioned area of the main coop, right?
Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article


I's suggest you be patient and not add these new birds.
Purchase or hatch some day old chicks next spring.

 

[HuertaFarm]

They won't merge' until the youngers start laying.

..and not just in the partitioned area of the main coop, right?
Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article


I's suggest you be patient and not add these new birds.
Purchase or hatch some day old chicks next spring.

Yes, I'm aware of appropriate quarantine practices, but I will read the article you've attached.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Shadrach]

He is a rescue so that won't happen he is in the batchler coop and has not gone at anyone since my son pushed him to the ground and he isn't aggressive with the other roosters so until he is he will stay alive and spoiled thats just the way we roll here

Not all human unfriendly roosters stay that way. I've had a few that were a nightmare for a while but came good in the end.