roosters and hens

[carlf]

I have 6 hens about 7 months old and I was just given a young rooster. My hens are all free range now because of the heat and I'm hearing that they can become mean later as they begin to breed? My hens are sweet and love to be petted almost like dogs ... Lol

Should I seperate them now before they begin to breed and only allow them to be with my rooster when I "WANT" to breed them?

I have never heard of hens becoming mean when there is a rooster in the flock.
I would just leave the rooster in with them, no reason to keep mixing things up and changing flock dynamics. If the rooster is younger than the hens, they will put him in his palce until he behave & matures.
How old is the rooster?
Just make sure to establish and keep your dominance over the young rooster as he hits puberty.
Don't treat him like a pet, treat him more like livestock.
If he ever pecks you or tries to spur you, pin him to the ground and hold him there until he fully submits.
After that, if he comes within 5' of you, tap him on the back with a stick and move him off. But dont "fight" him.
Make him keep his distance when you give treats to the hens.. Walk past him like he is not there.
You might not have to take this approach, but be prepared too. Roosters all vary in personality and it can change significantly once they hit puberty.

 

[Deer lane farm]

They are 6 months or so. I have older hens that do put them in their place. My winters get bad , but I wouldn't leave him out there at night. only the day They are breeding the hens. I would love love two separate flocks and two separate coops and pens. Its just I have already spent so much money on building this shed into a coop. There is plenty of room , but the way it is laid out it is difficult to split in half and put another door. i would have to move fencing around. I'll watch closely and see how it plays out.