Rooster question

[Ryguy3684]

I have 10 buff orpingtons. They are 9 weeks old. They all appear to be pullets. I want a rooster for the flock. What age range rooster can I aquire without causing any issues with my pullets? There's tons out there for free, or cheap, but it's hard to find one that's the exact same age. Thanks.

 

[Ridgerunner]

My suggestion is to wait until most of those pullets are laying and then get one that is a little older than them. You don't get guarantees with living animals but your odds of having a less stressful integration improve when you are past the worst of puberty. Pullets and cockerels usually act a lot differently than hens and roosters. Adolescence can be really stressful for you and them.

Ideally I'd wait until next spring and bring in a really mature rooster but that time if year it may be harder to find one.

 

[RainbowHen]

My suggestion is to wait until most of those pullets are laying and then get one that is a little older than them. You don't get guarantees with living animals but your odds of having a less stressful integration improve when you are past the worst of puberty. Pullets and cockerels usually act a lot differently than hens and roosters. Adolescence can be really stressful for you and them.

Ideally I'd wait until next spring and bring in a really mature rooster but that time if year it may be harder to find one.

I agree. Cockerels mature faster than pullets. Let your girls grow up a bit and find yourself a nice, mature rooster. Preferably one that was raised with an older roo so he has some manners.

 

[Elizabethwood09]

Do you have room to get a cockerel now but keep it separate from the pullets for a few months until they are all more mature can be integrated with less stress?

 

[Mrs. K]

Adding a rooster to laying hens is one of the easiest introductions. I also vote adding an older boy after everyone is laying a few weeks. I would also like a rooster that has been raised in a multi-generational flock and if you can get your druthers, one that has a rooster and one that has been allowed to free range a bit. To me that is a natural society, and they learn quite a bit, and are better roosters.

Mrs K

 

[centrarchid]

My suggestion is to acquire a fully mature rooster that is 9 month or more old. You can go it now as he will not likely interested mating with juvenile females.