Pullets and rooster

[Agapehomestead]

I have an established flock of 16 hens and one roo. We have 12 pullets that are 14 weeks old and they have been hanging out next to each other, but separate for a while. I want to put them all in the same area and coop, but wonder if the roo might hurt the pullets? I really need to move them since I need their brooder for the next set coming up.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I have an established flock of 16 hens and one roo. We have 12 pullets that are 14 weeks old and they have been hanging out next to each other, but separate for a while. I want to put them all in the same area and coop, but wonder if the roo might hurt the pullets? I really need to move them since I need their brooder for the next set coming up.

He should have plenty of girls that he shouldn't be harassing the younger ones

 

[aart]

but wonder if the roo might hurt the pullets?

They'll probably get more grief from the females than the male.
If the male is a good one, he will not try to mount the youngers.....
...and may even protect them from the older females.

 

[Shadrach]

Hurt them? Unlikely.
But if the pullets are laying or close to it they'll be looking for some attention from the rooster, much to the more senior hens displeasure. This may look like the rooster is harrasing the pullets but close obsevation should show that the pullets are encouraging the roosters attention.

 

[3KillerBs]

A good rooster will even smooth the pullets' way into the flock by breaking things up when the hens get aggressive to the newbies.

I have seen first Ludwig and now Rameses discipline a hen who was harassing a chick or a pullet.