Possible to let a friends rooster cover hens I have?

[Badlatitude]

Since I cant have a rooster in town here is it possible to bring my hens to a friends place and pen them up with a rooster? How long should they be left togather? Im assuming it would take some time for them to work things out but how long?

 

[sfw2]

I'm sure you could do it, but I'd be concerned about biosecurity. It doesn't take too long for a rooster to "take care of business", so you shouldn't have to keep them together too long.

 

[speckledhen]

Dont assume the hens will allow that. Some are pretty territorial and there could be bloodshed. And it's a biosecurity nightmare!

 

[Badlatitude]

A biosecurity nightmare? That and heat lamps ugh

Chickens have STDs? Or would we already share the same bio threat level since our dogs run around each others yards along with truck and quad tires , work boots and all that good stuff? Should I just eat them and get some from him that are already been covered?

Im more worried about them killing each other! 2 pens near each other to get familer but not close enough to kill each other??

 

[speckledhen]

When I introduced a rooster who had been in quarantine for over a month to my girls, let's just say it took me an hour to stop his comb from bleeding. The Wyandotte sisters were having none of that new man!

Disease wise, chickens get diseases that make them carriers for life, rather like HIV/Herpes types. They can appear healthy, but be carriers. That is why you shouldn't provide a rooster stud service for your girls. I always err on the side of caution when it comes to my girls. Be better to buy some fertile eggs and incubate them.

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

Quote:
You got that right!!! A few years ago I borrowed a roo, and after quarantine I slowly introduced him to to the girls. Well everything went fine till I actually turned him loose in the run. Them girls nearly killed him. I finally took him back before I ended up buying him. It may have worked if the girls weren't already 2yrs old and set in their ways.

 

[Badlatitude]

Thank you very much for the info guys. I wount try it. While out places probably share any bio hazard id hate to have his bird loose an eye or something trying to breed them!

 

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

I've been tempted to borrow a rooster myself, but won't because of that biosecurity issue.

I've seen bad stuff go down when somebody "rescued" a meat bird and introduced it to a flock on a Martha Stewart-style estate.

Healthy-looking birds from one place + healthy-looking birds from another place = sick birds.

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

I just wanted to add that I do take bio-security seriously. Seems like there are more nasties around than it was years and years ago, or we just didn't pay it much mind. I now keep my flocks closed. I am now in the process of getting breeder quality birds when I finish rehoming my current flock to some good friends of mine. I will be getting my new chicks from a very reliable/reputable breeder. After that no other birds will be brought onto my property. When I want more, I will hatch them.