rooster aggressive to new pullets

[fleischdoc]

I am trying to introduce our 6 12 week old pullets to the established flock of 3 hens (red layer mix) and our golden laced wyandotte rooster. The hens basically ignore them., but the rooster has drawn blood and removed chunks of skin on 2 of them on the back of their head. We are free ranging them together and most of the time they can run away, but today he cornered one in the big chick coop and really went after her. Tonight he is separated in a cage in my garage because I am mad at him! He is generally a very nice too with people. Will I ever be able to get them together? I hate to get rid of him, but I need the hens to be able to live together due to space issues. The smaller pullets have been in a coop/run that the big hens can socialize through the fence for the past several weeks and we started free ranging them together this week. Any suggestions for handling our too?
Lisa

 

[centrarchid]

Remove hens from equation and isolate rooster for a couple days. Then introduce young birds only to rooster. I bet you will get a different result. After young and rooster bonded then bring hens back into fold.

Mature roosters generally not as problematic with introductions as hens or older juveniles but exceptions seems to be when existing hens are about to get broody. He may not want new flock members that do are not potential mates in short-term that will compete with his offspring. When offspring involved some of my otherwise gentle game roosters can be brutal to new comers, even more so than a ticked off hen.

 

[fleischdoc]

Thank you! He is currently isolated in my garage in a large dog pen, and he is not happy In a few days we will try him with the new girls.
Lisa