Trying to integrate new chick

[cmom]

Honestly, my rooster is a tough guy. He only lets me feed, pet him, pick him up, etc. I have a toddler & he’s attacked him twice already & me once actually.
with that, I was kind of planning on keeping him separated more so for my son. He loves going to the coops & he couldn’t of the rooster was in the same coop.

I don't know how old your son is but can you make that coop with your male off limits? The male is testing you. When they are young some will do that. If he continues then it may be time to re-home him.

 

[nadiamaria3]

The rooster might serve as protection for the pullet until the integration is complete. Frankly after that with a child involved I would get rid of him, It's not worth the chance of significant injury. Roosters frequently go for the face of a child.

Completely agree. Luckily he’s still young & his spurs are not grown in yet. So he more so just pecked & tried to spur him but, that was enough to scare him. I thought of giving him away but I dont even know where to start with that. I do love him though & he’s just beautiful, but not worth scaring my son everything he’s around, which is why I was just keeping him separated.

 

[nadiamaria3]

I don't know how old your son is but can you make that coop with your male off limits? The male is testing you. When they are young some will do that. If he continues then it may be time to re-home him.

I have two coops, a permanent one that we built that the older ones are in & a cheaper one we bought that is much smaller that the younger ones are in. So I am able to keep him away, by keeping him completely out of the bigger coop & just can’t let him out with the hens.

 

[BullChick]

The chicks would have done better if introduced at seven weeks than seven months. New birds will always be taught their place. If they are the only newbie, they are likely in danger.
No rooster should frighten you.

She was walking into the coop alone by twelve months, and the roosters above are only 1/3 of what I had. The main roo was as big as her.

 

[nadiamaria3]

The chicks would have done better if introduced at seven weeks than seven months. New birds will always be taught their place. If they are the only newbie, they are likely in danger.
No rooster should frighten you.
View attachment 1974771
She was walking into the coop alone by twelve months, and the roosters above are only 1/3 of what I had. The main roo was as big as her.

That’s a cute pic! You may need to come take my rooster! Lol! he’s never happy when my boy is near him.
I first started trying to integrate In the coop, about 2 months ago. I was still late with trying to put her in their coop but I started letting them all out together since the chicks were about 4-6 weeks old. I would just stay out there the whole time to ensure their safety. So when I started trying to put her in the coop, I really didn’t think I would have any issues.

 

[BullChick]

If you take an established hen out, and keep her separated a few days, she will be bullied when you return her. Chickens are smart in some ways, but remembering their friends doesn’t seem to be a strong point.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
How large is the coop? Can you just wait and let them continue to comingle during free range time and decide when they want to roost together?

 

[fldiver97]

Welcome to the flock!

 

[drumstick diva]

There is NEVER a good reason to keep a bad roo. There are so many worthwhile roos that have to be rehomed simply because the zoning, etc. does not permit them. He has no value as a stud because you would risk having more progeny with his bad attitude.

It's not a matter of maybe he will do serious damage to your son, or someone else. It's just a question of WHEN!!

 

[nadiamaria3]

That’s a cute pic! You may need to come take my rooster! Lol! he’s never happy when my boy is near him.
I first started trying to integrate In the coop, about 2 months ago. I was still late with trying to put her in their coop but I started letting them all out together since the chicks were about 4-6 weeks old. I would just stay out there the whole time to ensure their safety. So when I started trying to put her in the coop, I really didn’t think I would have any issues.