OLDER HENS ATTACK NEW ROOSTER

[PolloSignora]

Hello all,

I have 5 New, now 4 Month Old Brahmas (1 is a Rooster) that I added to my 3 - 2 Year Old Hens. I did over two months a slowly working in the new chickens and now they all free-range in the yard. I have 2 Problems: I understand the pecking order but the Older Hens will not accept the new Rooster or Hens. In the morning the Old Hens attack the New Rooster when they start to leave the Coop. In the evening I can't get the New Hens in the Coop. I have to pick each one up and put them in. The new Rooster will go in the Coop on his own and then chases the new Hens out. Should I put the Rooster is his own Coop at night? If yes, for how many days? Any suggestions would be helpful

 

[Chicken Heel]

Not unusual for older hens to run a young rooster through the gauntlet. And the pullets as well... What variety are the older hens? Brahmas are docile so that may be part of the equation in this dynamic.

 

[PolloSignora]

Not unusual for older hens to run a young rooster through the gauntlet. And the pullets as well... What variety are the older hens? Brahmas are docile so that may be part of the equation in this dynamic.

Thank you for the reply! I purchased the Older Hens at Rural King - one is a Buff and not sure what the other 2 are--they are so small but hold their ground with the Rooster. The Brahmas are from Cackle Hatchery. The Brahma Rooster is a little rough with the New Hens (they all come together) but I think he is "figuring things out" as he matures. Do you think I should keep him separate at night?

 

[Chicken Heel]

With the size of the Brahmas, things should work out on all accounts for all parties. If you keep the rooster separated at night, it is just kicking the can down the road for things to get resolved.

 

[Mrs. K]

You have more than doubled the size of your flock. What size of coup do you have? Space is often times the problem.

Post a picture of your set up, sometimes when people see it, and have solutions.

 

[PolloSignora]

You have more than doubled the size of your flock. What size of coup do you have? Space is often times the problem.

Post a picture of your set up, sometimes when people see it, and have solutions.

Hello,

They all Free-Range in the yard during the day but not together. The new stay away from the old and run as soon as they see them coming!

Thank you!

L 6'9
D 3'7 (Not including nesting box area).
H 3'5

 

[Mrs. K]

Well you are bit tight on space, do not add any more birds without culling. I do have a couple of ideas:

• pin less peepers - really helps with tight spaces
• If you have the space, remove the old ladies, and roosters from the coop
• Put the young girls in there alone overnight - two or three nights, this lets them get some territorial rights. Now, they are sure they don't belong there, and everyone else is willing to agree with that. They stay there a couple nights, they will get more confident.
• Or, You can tape some cardboard up, attach to the ceiling, or wall, run the roost through it, to give it some support, but this will separate birds after roosting, which can help, about the time the cardboard wears out, they are over this.
• The rooster can be tricky, he is beating up on the pullets, cause he can't on the old ladies. I rather like the idea of him with the old ladies, there is a theory, that the old ladies not putting up with his shenanigans makes for better roosters.
• Pulling out the rooster until the pullets are ready to lay, can help too

Or to be honest, you can do what you are doing. It might work just fine with a bit of time. However, sometimes you get birds that just don't work together. Sometimes roosters turn rotten, sometimes you just have to adjust to get peace in the flock.

Mrs K

 

[PolloSignora]

Thank you for taking the time to give suggestions. It is a hit or miss at this point.
Sometimes they all make it in by Dusk and other times I am the Rooster and get them in safe & sound!

Take care!

 

[Leatherworker]

Hello,

They all Free-Range in the yard during the day but not together. The new stay away from the old and run as soon as they see them coming!

Thank you!

L 6'9
D 3'7 (Not including nesting box area).
H 3'5

I think your coop is very small for the amount of chickens you have. If you can expand the width of things, I think they will work things out in time. I have 11 established hens and brought in 4 newbies. I kept them apart but a fence between so they could get used to each other. It takes time. I think it was about 3 months that way.
My young ones are 5.5 months old now. One of the new group is a rooster, which I wanted. He is terrific. The older girls did not accept him or the pullets at all at first, but they gradually came together. They chased him and the young girls and each stayed in separate places in the backyard. He has worked his way into their hearts and now they follow him everywhere. He only bred with the older ones till the young girls starting laying.
He beat up a hawk that came in the yard after he gave the warning, they ran and he ran after the hawk. He, feeds them, and is very good with them. Very protective. He won't eat if they are near him. He gives it all to them. One of the hens was jumping up trying to get a cucumber leaf near the fence. She couldn't reach it, so Gabe jumped up, got the leaf and gave it to her. I really appreciate him so much.
I raised them as chicks so he is great with us as well. I have learned with roosters, to give treats to them first, he doles it out. Then you are not competing with him. Young roos are really frisky in the morning. Keeping him more with the older ones would be a good idea, unless they have enough room to get out of each others way.