Short Silly question

[Hennessee]

I have a single rooster. No other chickens. I have a friend that may need a hen rescued. It seems that this particular hen is getting abused by the other chickens. Would it be okay to add one hen to a rooster?

 

[LearninMyFlock]

I have a single rooster. No other chickens. I have a friend that may need a hen rescued. It seems that this particular hen is getting abused by the other chickens. Would it be okay to add one hen to a rooster?

I would try it. Not sure why it wouldn't work. I actually have a very high ratio of roosters to hens and have no huge problems with them. The roosters on the lower end of the pecking order I put in a small group with their own hens. The others free range during the day.

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

What breed is the rooster?

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

It all depends on the temperament, but I wouldnt

 

[Keeperofmunchkins]

If you add a hen to a rooster they will take a few weeks to get used to each other.

The rooster will probably be happy to see a hen immediately, but he could be defensive at first if he is well used to being alone and/or has not been with hens before. He should come around to her quite quickly though.
At first the hen will not accept the advances of the rooster and will need enough space to escape him. He may become aggressive with her which is not good. A good rooster will keep trying to woo her with tidbitting and wing dancing and eventually she will learn he is good for her to have around and submit to being mated.

However, after they have accepted each other, a rooster with only one hen could end up overmating her which could lead to her losing feathers and even being injured. It all depends on the temperaments of the hen and rooster. Some roos are fine with only one hen, some need more.

Also there is a small possibility of the rooster becoming more human aggressive once he and his hen have established their relationship. Roosters have strong instincts to protect their hens and sometimes consider humans a threat to them, for example when someone tries to grab a hen.

At the end of the day roosters and hens are made to live together so it will probably work out ok and is definitely worth trying, but be prepared for potential problems.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Is there a way you can have them separated by wire to allow them to see each other for a few days? I would try it, he might be glad to have a hen around after he gets used to the idea

 

[Sarasarasara222]

It would be helpful to just get more hens if your worried about the overmating thing but idk if it would be possible or not I think it will be fine without as well.

 

[Callender Girl]

Sounds like you are getting plenty of good advice.

There are some good reasons not to try it. It really may not work out, but what if it does?

I am always in favor of trying to do good. If the pairing doesn't work, maybe the hen ends up somewhere else. But right now, life is not very pleasant for her. I would give it a chance.

You always need to quarantine a new bird anyway, so maybe if they see and hear each other at a significant distance for a while, they will be more receptive to living together.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[aart]

I have a friend that may need a hen rescued. It seems that this particular hen is getting abused by the other chickens.

Best bet would be to help her solve the bullying problem in her flock.

 

[Hennessee]

What breed is the rooster?

Barred Rock.

If you add a hen to a rooster they will take a few weeks to get used to each other.

The rooster will probably be happy to see a hen immediately, but he could be defensive at first if he is well used to being alone and/or has not been with hens before. He should come around to her quite quickly though.
At first the hen will not accept the advances of the rooster and will need enough space to escape him. He may become aggressive with her which is not good. A good rooster will keep trying to woo her with tidbitting and wing dancing and eventually she will learn he is good for her to have around and submit to being mated.

However, after they have accepted each other, a rooster with only one hen could end up overmating her which could lead to her losing feathers and even being injured. It all depends on the temperaments of the hen and rooster. Some roos are fine with only one hen, some need more.

Also there is a small possibility of the rooster becoming more human aggressive once he and his hen have established their relationship. Roosters have strong instincts to protect their hens and sometimes consider humans a threat to them, for example when someone tries to grab a hen.

At the end of the day roosters and hens are made to live together so it will probably work out ok and is definitely worth trying, but be prepared for potential problems.

Thanks for all the info. If I end up with this hen, I'll keep them separate for a while.