Rooster adoption

[ShannyG]

I have been asked to take a rooster into my flock of 6 hens. This rooster does not have any tail feathers. In it’s current home another rooster and the hens are pecking it. I have never had a rooster and I am not sure if I could figure out what to do with this injured one. Do you put anything on it? Do the feathers grow back? Will my hens peck at him also? I hate to see him left where he is at , but I do not want bring turmoil in on my girls. Would I to have an area to separate him for a few days or longer?Any information would be great!

 

[Eggcessive]

When adding a new bird from another flock, I would separate for a month to watch him for signs of disease, look for mites and lice, and to worm him. If you have no roosters, he may do just fine. We don’t need roosters to have eggs, but I enjoy having one. The hens usually fight over who gets to roost beside them. Watch for any aggression since he will be new to your flock. Hopefully his tail feathers should grow back in soon. Most flocks only have one rooster because they may fight. Make sure that the owner has not had any diseases in their flock. If your neighbors don’t allow crowing roosters, that could be a reason to say no.

 

[Dephora]

I know folks have horror stories on keeping roosters, but I never have, I do also get rid of the duds if I have too. No room in this house for a mean rooster. I have kept roosters with all my flocks, and feel that the positives of keeping a rooster out ways the issues of keeping one.

I will admit that your hens will be stressed at first especially if he is a bigger boy and grows confident enough to assert himself. He may jump on them and "force himself" on them, this can be very upseting for people who aren't use to it as the hens do scream if they have never had it happen before. He may rip out a good number of feathers getting them to listen to him. This will cause a chain reaction that may be hard for you to watch as the hens will start reasserting their hierarchy with each other , the girls at top will be fine but your girls near the bottom may start getting picked on until everyone feels comfortable again. There is also the matter of what if 6 hens are not enough for him, when my roosters are young it isn't uncommon for his favorite hens to go with ratty or bald saddle feathers for some time until his urges calm down.

But I love having a rooster. I have just never had a dominate hen ever do the things a rooster does as well. The first time I saw a rooster dig up a worm only to call his girls over to give it to them, I knew what to look for in a rooster. Don't settle for a subpar rooster, there are many people out there trying to find homes for roosters. If your rooster doesn't give the hens first dibs on food or watch out for them get a different rooster and have yourself some chicken soup. The only reason to keep a rooster otherwise is if you are breeding for looks etc. But I only care about temperament... and egg size. lol

I agree you should not add him immediately, keep him quarantined near your girls, not just because he may carry mites or other issues, but also because they are likely to peck at him as well especially if his rump is red and sore from lost feathers. Depending on their breed and temperament, will make this process either easy or hard. If you have a "sick chicken" coop, move it over to their run so he can live near them and they can start seeing and hearing him. His feathers will regrow, he may need a protein boost depending on the loss, but so long as their are no open wounds you don't need to put anything on the wound.

What breed is the new rooster and what are your hens?

 

[ShannyG]

I have been asked to take a rooster into my flock of 6 hens. This rooster does not have any tail feathers. In it’s current home another rooster and the hens are pecking it. I have never had a rooster and I am not sure if I could figure out what to do with this injured one. Do you put anything on it? Do the feathers grow back? Will my hens peck at him also? I hate to see him left where he is at , but I do not want bring turmoil in on my girls. Would I to have an area to separate him for a few days or longer?Any information would be great!

I have decided not to get this rooster. As a newby I do not want to disrupt my flock. The girls are happy and winter is here.