Old rooster - young pullets

[jgiorgi]

I have a coop setup on some remote property and 4 chicks 1-3 weeks old in a brooder. I want a rooster so that I can eventually hatch a few chicks for a sustainable flock. The only problem is no one in the area has a male chick. All are either female (sex-link) or straight-run so god knows what you're getting. I did manage to find a grown rooster a neighbor doesn't need. He's a Barred Rock and about a year old.

The question is how to introduce the chicks to the rooster. I assume it would be best to attempt it when the pullets are ready for the coop in a couple months. Will an older rooster have a problem cohabitating with young pullets? What would be the best way to introduce them?

Sorry if this has been answered already and thanks for helping a newb.

 

[Fred's Hens]

First, a mature rooster, such as is available to you, is a far better choice, imo, than a young cockerel who doesn't know "his stuff".

Secondly, the pullets do not need to be bothered sexually until they are 20 weeks of age. I'd not worry about integrating the young pullets with the rooster until they are mature. However, only 4 pullets isn't going to be enough. In most cases, a rooster prefers to harem a dozen hens. There is the likelihood that the rooster would wear out only 4 hens. Just something to consider.

 

[jgiorgi]

Good to know I'm not sure if I have enough room in the coop for a dozen hens but I could expand it. The big problem is I simply don't have room to keep the rooster and the pullets separate. I only have one coop and the chicks are going to be far to big for there brooder soon.

Will a rooster be smart and patient enough to live with young pullets and wait for them to mature?

 

[Joultry]

A rooster is not patient enough to wait. If they are younger than 20 weeks you shouldn't introduce them to the rooster.

 

[mtnviewfarms]

I'm certainly no expert on this topic but I will share my experience with this issue.

My original flock of Plymouth Barred Rocks was about 14 months old when they slowed down
on their laying ( I figured they would also soon go into molt ) so I advertised them free locally
and sold them - being honest with the buyer about the laying/molt, etc. which she was fine with.



'Giblet' ( photo above in his all too familiar Pharoh Pose ) the roo of that BR flock of 12 hens
was a 'mating fool' with his established flock and I am very fond of him since I raised him from
day old from Meyer Hatchery.

I kept Giblet and put him directly into the huge coop and covered secured outdoor run area
with my flock of 4 month old cockerels and pullets. At that time Giblet was nearly twice the
size of the juvenile cockerels and pullets.

A few of the cockerels played at challenging him but he put a firm but not too aggressive halt
to that right away. I was afraid he might harass and try to mate the immature pullets but he
did not. I do think he seemed quite confused and kept looking up at me as if to be saying,
'Ok, what in the heck did you do with all of my WOMEN!!!'?

As soon as their combs and wattles became bright red at about 5 months of age he did begin
mating the pullets as did the younger males. Since he didn't attempt any type of mating behaviors
prior to the pullets sexual maturity I wonder if this is just an innate instinct - not sure but it did
work out that way for my flock.