Rooster

[Metz]

I have 12 young hens, about 4 months old, all females for eggs. I decided they needed a Rooster to look after them for when the time comes to let them out of the pen to roam.
I found a rooster of a similar age to my hens and put him in with them. They attacked him big time. He's been in 2 days now, they won't let him eat or drink, immediately he comes out the box for food or water they chase him round and attack him.
Should I separate him into his own run until he is bigger and older ??????
Thanks.

 

[aart]

Should I separate him into his own run until he is bigger and older ??????

Yes, at least for a few days.

Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Aapomp831]

Yes! Never take a brand new bird and just put them in with existing chickens - they’d gang up on it even if it were another hen. I would elaborate more but it looks like aart has it completely covered in his above post. Good luck to you!

 

[Ridgerunner]

You do not have a rooster and hens, you have an immature cockerel and pullets. If they were all mature it would have gone differently. And you are introducing a single bird. If he were a mature rooster and they were mature hens that would be the method I'd use, just put them together. But that is not your situation. Cockerels and pullets going through puberty together can be stressful too.

Aart's suggestions are generic and apply to all integrations, including this. But your situation might need a bit more. When you do try to merge them after housing them separately you might be OK. Depending on their level of maturity it may get dramatic, either the girls bullying him or him bothering the girls. It will work out when he and the girls mature enough, but go by what you see. You may be housing him separately for a few months with occasional efforts to put them together

I've had flocks that age and older where they were fine together but they had been raised together. I've had some where some drama continued a lot longer. Each flock is different, Just be patient and go by what you see. Be patient and willing to take a step back and not rush things.

Good luck!

 

[SulkyBantam]

How old is he? Is he a bantam?

 

[Mrs. K]

I just did something similar, but I waited until my pullets were laying, and my rooster was more than a year old. I just let them out together, and they went home together. My girls were in love by morning.

It is the age issue, and give it some time, and this will be fine. Wait until the girls are laying.

Mrs K