Rooster defected

[MXchikas]

Hi- quick story... we lost 2 chickens this weekend to 3 red foxes. This left one female who just started laying eggs, and her brother, our rooster. (We have 9 babies in the garage at 9 weeks old almost ready to integrate...) Anyway... yesterday our Roo went to the neighbors and flirted with their 8 hens. Today, he went back, and we found him roosting in their coop at dusk. We brought him home, but now it seems he has defected. We're going to keep him penned in tomorrow, but do you think this is a lost cause now? Anyone have any experiences like this? Secondly, when do you think it's safe to integrate the babies with the female and the rooster?

 

[centrarchid]

He is being smart and I would do same. More mating opportunities at neighbors and predator is working your location decimating your flock. My birds also shift location when disturbed at night and foraging locations when possible when attacked during day.