Tyson_chickens
Chirping
Wow it has been awhile since I have had a chicken dilemma. 
(to skip backstory, just skip the first 3 paragraphs)
Okay so my first ever flock I ordered online from idealpoultry. I paid for 4 chickens and 2 ducks and in the same box the company sent like 5-6 free extra birds to fill out the box order. (Most websites only have a minimum amount of birds you have to order but this website also has a minimum $30 order) Anyways in 3-4 months we can tell that the extras were all roosters and we gave them all away. All that remains from this original flock are 2 hens.
Roughly 2 years later, we ordered another set of birds. This time to make our $30 minimum we had to order 8 hens (didn't want anymore ducks). We were shooting for the company to fill out the box with at least one rooster again but unfortunately they didnt. They did send us an additional hen with a damaged leg. Anyways we raised them and now they are about 15 weeks old. They are outside and integrated with the other 2 remaining chicken. So that brings our totally to 11 hens.
2 days ago I was walking in a nearby orchard and found a chicken. (Mind you I have found a total of 3 this year alone and this was the only one that was alive) Upon closer inspection it turns out it was a young rooster! Thinking how it was a perfect opportunity I went to catch it. (It flew up an almond tree and my fatass climbed up and got it! It was definitely a proud moment for me). So overall the temperament seems like the rooster was semi-friendly. Like of course he's terrified of me but he didn't full on try to attack me and he was really calm when I cradled him back to the house. I also notice that he only has one spur.
Now here's where the dilemma occurs. As soon as I brought him home I gave him food and water and put him in what used to be the ducks pen. I let him stay there all night and then in the morning I put him in a makeshift cage. (The cage is 4x4x4ft and made of pvc pipes and chicken wire. Orginally it was to keep the birds from getting into the garden boxes) From what I see from the first day in the cage is that new hens more or less doesn't seem to mind him. They look to be around the same size if not maybe slightly bigger than him. However the older hens are noticeable bigger and I have seen one fully on peck him through the chicken wire. I also seen them do the jumping thing that I have seen when roosters fight.
Now I imagine if I were to let him out, the fact that he still has one spur, I would think it would help put him on top of the pecking order despite not being the biggest bird yet. Is this true? Today is day 3 and I'm wondering how long should I let him stay in the cage before letting him roam. (I am able to move the cage so that he's in a new spot everyday). Today I put one of my smallest hens in with him so it may help him get more established. I'm also worried about him running/flying away, do you think he would if he knows he's the only male? Any guesses on how old he is?
I appreciate any and all the help and tip
(to skip backstory, just skip the first 3 paragraphs)Okay so my first ever flock I ordered online from idealpoultry. I paid for 4 chickens and 2 ducks and in the same box the company sent like 5-6 free extra birds to fill out the box order. (Most websites only have a minimum amount of birds you have to order but this website also has a minimum $30 order) Anyways in 3-4 months we can tell that the extras were all roosters and we gave them all away. All that remains from this original flock are 2 hens.
Roughly 2 years later, we ordered another set of birds. This time to make our $30 minimum we had to order 8 hens (didn't want anymore ducks). We were shooting for the company to fill out the box with at least one rooster again but unfortunately they didnt. They did send us an additional hen with a damaged leg. Anyways we raised them and now they are about 15 weeks old. They are outside and integrated with the other 2 remaining chicken. So that brings our totally to 11 hens.
2 days ago I was walking in a nearby orchard and found a chicken. (Mind you I have found a total of 3 this year alone and this was the only one that was alive) Upon closer inspection it turns out it was a young rooster! Thinking how it was a perfect opportunity I went to catch it. (It flew up an almond tree and my fatass climbed up and got it! It was definitely a proud moment for me). So overall the temperament seems like the rooster was semi-friendly. Like of course he's terrified of me but he didn't full on try to attack me and he was really calm when I cradled him back to the house. I also notice that he only has one spur.
Now here's where the dilemma occurs. As soon as I brought him home I gave him food and water and put him in what used to be the ducks pen. I let him stay there all night and then in the morning I put him in a makeshift cage. (The cage is 4x4x4ft and made of pvc pipes and chicken wire. Orginally it was to keep the birds from getting into the garden boxes) From what I see from the first day in the cage is that new hens more or less doesn't seem to mind him. They look to be around the same size if not maybe slightly bigger than him. However the older hens are noticeable bigger and I have seen one fully on peck him through the chicken wire. I also seen them do the jumping thing that I have seen when roosters fight.
Now I imagine if I were to let him out, the fact that he still has one spur, I would think it would help put him on top of the pecking order despite not being the biggest bird yet. Is this true? Today is day 3 and I'm wondering how long should I let him stay in the cage before letting him roam. (I am able to move the cage so that he's in a new spot everyday). Today I put one of my smallest hens in with him so it may help him get more established. I'm also worried about him running/flying away, do you think he would if he knows he's the only male? Any guesses on how old he is?
I appreciate any and all the help and tip
Glad you joined.
I guess that means I didn't get lucky and still have to find a rooster 
