Rooster removal and replacement

[cren21]

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.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

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.

 

[Mrs. K]

I would go with the old boy, then you can hatch out too. No need to wait, once I pulled one out in the morning and culled, got the new rooster after lunch. I was going to wait, but he escaped me , found the girls, walked in like he owned the joint, and the girls were in love.

One never can be perfectly sure, but it tends to be the easiest add of new birds.

 

[FrostRanger]

I agree, cull him and go with the nice older rooster. Your current boy is likely to get worse and if you hatch chicks from the current rooster, they might inherit his aggressive tendencies

 

[cren21]

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

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.

Thanks! I think it’s the “maybe not” that concerns me. I have read a lot here and tried to do all the things to give him a good chance. I rely on family to help with the chickens, and do not feel safe with him around others…even if he decides to leave me alone.
Since I know where this older rooster is coming from, I know they are well cared for, but will definitely do some ivermectin and ask questions.

 

[cren21]

I agree, cull him and go with the nice older rooster. Your current boy is likely to get worse and if you hatch chicks from the current rooster, they might inherit his aggressive tendencies

Thanks! I see the quick progression. His father is aggressive (we know the family where we got most of our flock). I told myself if we kept a rooster from that group that he would go if there were any signs of aggression. I’m happy to read that I can easily integrate a new rooster.

 

[cren21]

I would go with the old boy, then you can hatch out too. No need to wait, once I pulled one out in the morning and culled, got the new rooster after lunch. I was going to wait, but he escaped me , found the girls, walked in like he owned the joint, and the girls were in love.

One never can be perfectly sure, but it tends to be the easiest add of new birds.

Thanks! I’m going to reach out to that family and go out to meet the older rooster. I am trying now to decide if we process this rooster or let someone else do it.

 

[Mrs. K]

Grab him in the dark, and place in a small dog crate. Then you do t have to chase him. I find it works best to stand the crate on the back, so the opening is on top. Then they don’t escape before you get the gate closed. Wear gloves and a thick sweatshirt.

 

[Mrs. K]

If you process him, do know he will be tough if you don’t age him in the fridge 2-3 days, then cook low and slow.

 

[C Siena]

Ditto on what @Mrs. K said about getting him when it's dark. I have done this a few times. I also place the crate/kennel in the coop during the day I'm going to get a chicken. They are fairly calm at night but as he showed aggression, I would have gloves.

The same with processing, in the fridge 2-3 days, cook low and slow.