Rooster removal and replacement

cren21

In the Brooder
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Hi! This is my first full year with chickens. We have 13 one yr old hens and 1 one year old rooster. We kept one male out of our original batch. The rooster has been fine with the hens and fine with us up until he turned 1. He began pecking at my coop boots…I moved him out of the way with my boot (not harshly) and he went away. The next day he snuck next to me and tried to flog me. He tried several times, but then realized it wasnt going to work, so he walked away. I have no desire to keep him bc now I am nervous about him attempting again. (Probably okay assumption?) It’s too bad bc he has been pretty good with the hens.
A family we know offered me a 2 year old rooster that has been great with her flock and family. (She has several roosters) I am wondering if that is a good move or if it is better to let a broody hen raise a male? How long should I wait to get a new rooster? I like the idea of a rooster bc of our location and having the possibility of chicks at some point.
 
That's not awful behavior but it is a warning sign. He may settle down with a good boot...or not. If not, or you lack confidence in him, it's time for him to go by your preferred way of dispatch, and you can immediately replace with friend's rooster. Adding a single mature rooster to a flock of mature hens is easy peasy. The good boys woo their way to the hens' hearts in short order. Generally it is a good idea to isolate for a week or two in case of disease or parasites, external or internal, to avoid exposing your flock to something like mites. I always treat the new boy with some ivermectin just to be sure.
 

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