Re-integrating 14 month old rooster

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

My rooster was separated from his hens for a couple of months. I just put them back together and it seems to be going well. I have 3 young pullets that are still a month away from laying. Should I worry about the rooster trying to have his way with these babies? He is is a good rooster, the girls suffered some feather damage over the winter. After 2 months apart from rooster feather re- growth is happening but I just put saddles on all the hens and let them all get together.

 

[quackersandfern]

He will probably be fine. I would just keep an eye though

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Randy's first night with the girls did not seem to go all that great. This morning he was on a rafter above the roosting bar. He finally "flew" down. The last hen on the roosting bar seemed to need some help getting down so I picked her up and realized she was covered in rooster poo. Poor thing. Apparently the hens must have shunned him a bit because he was not letting anyone get near the food dish. He kept kicking the dish around so I pinned him down for a few seconds. It took 3 pins to get him to calm down. The young pullets seem OK and I did not see any sign of rooster damage. I'll have to watch him to make sure he is adjusting. I would like to keep him, however, I need him to be a good guardian not a hell raiser.

 

[aart]

Apparently the hens must have shunned him a bit because he was not letting anyone get near the food dish.

He's trying to re-establish dominance......multiple feed/water stations would be good.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

He's trying to re-establish dominance......multiple feed/water stations would be good.

Thanks @aart. That's what I was thinking. I know there is enough room on the roosts for him because there were a couple of nights when the young 3 BR's slept with the hens. So I'm not sure how or why he ended up on that beam. I blocked it so there wouldn't be another night of him pooping on the girls. But this morning was a total surprise when he wouldn't let the hens get to the food container. He has always let them eat first as a group. I do think he will be fine because he is nothing like some of those nightmare stories about bad roosters I've read here. He just needs a little more time.

 

[Chickassan]

He was on the beam because it was the highest point and where the top banana sleeps.
So he was saying "Randy's back ladies!" by claiming that spot.
You'll see all sorts of stuff, the ladies have been single and Randy had been counting the days until parole.

Thanks @aart. That's what I was thinking. I know there is enough room on the roosts for him because there were a couple of nights when the young 3 BR's slept with the hens. So I'm not sure how or why he ended up on that beam. I blocked it so there wouldn't be another night of him pooping on the girls. But this morning was a total surprise when he wouldn't let the hens get to the food container. He has always let them eat first as a group. I do think he will be fine because he is nothing like some of those nightmare stories about bad roosters I've read here. He just needs a little more time.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Update on rooster re-integration. He slept on the roost with the hens last night. He was a little better this morning although one of the hens seems terrified of him. Yesterday during their "free range" time he was much more relaxed. Apparently the little hen he pooped on got over his transgression and spent some time relaxing with him. I took a picture of the two sun bathing together. And no they aren't dead, they really got up and walked away.

He hasn't touched any of the young pullets yet. I'm still not sure if I will keep him yet. I'll give him some more time to re-adjust and see if he improves.

 

[Cryss]

Chicken puddles!

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Final update on re-integration. After 8 days of trying to be patient, Randy is back in his bachelor pad. It seemed to be going well until 3 days ago he became really mean. He grabbed one of the pullets and ripped out a big mouthful of feathers. And no he wasn't trying to have his way with her he just wanted her out of his way. So I moved the pullets into the bachelor pad which they enjoyed immensely. Then he teamed up with his first love, my dear sweet fluffy Buffy and began terrorizing one of the other hens. So Randy spent last night in lock up inside the coop and was moved back to his little area first thing this morning. His girlfriend is in lockup inside for now. I think I'll keep her there for a couple of days. The "littles" (they are almost full grown now) are hanging out with the remaining hens for now and things seem to be settling down for now. I think I'll keep him separate for now and available for breeding if needed. All in all, he has bit me once and nipped me twice, but he still hasn't been really mean to me. Thank you for your support.

 

[Cryss]

My boy is in the bachelor pad for life because he graduated from "fluffing" at me to nipping to finally drawing blood on my inner thigh through my blue jeans. Then he got Bern in the...um...the...ummmm...
Yeah.
So life in the bachelor pad as opposed to no life.