What considerations when adding a rooster to an all-hen flock?

[rod5591]

I have about 25 hens - 12 are between ages 2-3 and 13 are 9 months old. We culled our rooster 2 years ago because it was too aggressive to my wife and I, and the hens have been without a rooster for all that time. The dominant hens peck the news hens pretty badly at times, and I want to add a rooster back to the flock to add balance. What are the considerations I should have for adding a mature rooster to the flock? Beside trying to find a mellow one who won't attack my wife or I when we go into the chicken yard?

 

[svh]

I recently had great success in integrating a new rooster ..... https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/cockerel-integration-success.1425765/

In the weeks since this introduction,, all has gone extremely well. I think the hens missed having a roo/cockerel around.

It was way easier than integrating chicks, in my opinion. I've only done this once each, (chicks, and rooster) separately, so I'm not really experienced, but all went very well for both.

Maybe I just got lucky, and I found a very good cockerel, or it really is that easy ! Your mileage may vary ....

 

[Mrs. K]

What you want is a local rooster who is about a year old, that has been raised in a multi-generational flock. An added bonus if he has been free ranged a bit, or raised up under a good rooster. Ask at feed stores, or the local poultry club. What you want is a rooster, that has been so darn nice, that he was the last to be culled.

Adding a rooster to your flock is the EASIEST integration in the chicken world, if there is not another rooster. Adding a mature rooster to mature hens is easy peasy. I would put him in in late afternoon. There might be a few dust ups, a bit of posturing, but each time I have done it, they have all been in love by morning.

Once, I added one, that was about 6 months old, and the girls were older, it did take him almost a week before he got to roost on the roost with the girls. But they were good to him other than that.

Mrs K

 

[EggSighted4Life]

What are the considerations I should have for adding a mature rooster to the flock? Beside trying to find a mellow one who won't attack my wife or I when we go into the chicken yard?

I absolutely love and adore mature roosters (2+ years old) who have earned their right to stay with a flock long term.

The main consideration.. unfortunately for me would be.. are you willing to *possibly* bring in unknown disease (having not presented any SYMPTOMS).. Most folks cannot achieve TRUE quarantine status. The risk not worth it me.

I would bring up several next year with a set of pullets and select from there.. but that's a whole other host of what sort of personality will you be looking at.. cockerels come up smarter/ wiser/ more human weary/respectful when raised with a rooster around.. Meaning I don't have the perfect answer.. I find introductions are always semi-brutal with or without a cock but can be alleviated with some technique.. and far easier than keeping a rooster..

Offering a good rooster a home.. is great idea.. and one might adjust just fine if the only rooster in another hen flock only.. but if currently with other boys.. *sometimes* things change when suddenly the pressure is on them to be the dominant protector.. for example.

I've had great results with one (breeder not hatchery) line of FBCM... including rehoming a subordinate to his own hen flock and then another flock once way more mature years later.. due to neighbors not caring for the crowing but being too good to go in the pot like other boys at that place.. he served well in all 3 flocks, never paying mind to anything unnecessary like the dog running past or children playing near by and unfortunately like too many good fellas.. paid with his life. 100% I would try Marans again.

No matter what breed ALL are individuals, but tendencies can be very true. Feathered legs or feet isn't my preference & I like straight combs.. but not beards so much.. Salmon Faverolles still cross my mind for some unknown reason... maybe because they're slow maturing, heavier breeds tend to be less reactive.

Oddly, every single one of my hatchery Bielefelder cockerels tested me at least once this year. Never experienced that sort of confusion before! These were not the first raised with no dominant rooster but the first to have every one of them step to me. My Wyandottes (breeder line) are showing promise SO far. I've not had much luck with hatchery EE boys but some luck with (breeder) Ameraucana. So many varied experiences.. Even with Silkies.. some are plum dumb from early on.. biting and acting like Stew Piddaso's.. yet folks will swear to their docile nature. Some are some aren't, across the board.

All in all.. Hmm, I might like hen flocks, and definitely consider them easier keeping. Roosters add another dynamic with pluses and minuses.. the main plus to keeping a rooster, imo. at all.. is eating or breeding. Otherwise, just eye candy.. or first line sacrifice for predators mostly.. Not sure if it will achieve the balance you're looking for.

I personally would also suggest make it 2.. to try and find balance. I never keep less than 2 boys.. they don't ALL fight to the death and over mate the ladies.. Sometimes they take on different roles and works together! And ratios are GOOD suggestions, but individual dynamics is what truly matters.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.. but hopefully at least given you some food for thought to consider with my brain storming.

You might also consider having your wife go meet some well balanced roosters if she need any help getting rid of nervous energy.. and make sure she is sending the right signals.. like I'm confident, I own my space.. and not I'm scared let me walk around you.. Understanding that I am NOT scared at ALL of roosters and yet some will still earn a trip to freezer camp.. Just tips, your mileage may vary!

 

[aart]

The dominant hens peck the news hens pretty badly at times, and I want to add a rooster back to the flock to add balance.

Don't count on a cock/erel solving this 'problem'.
Sounds like a typical integration issue....which might be solved by other means.

 

[svh]

All who have replied have waaaay more experience than I have, and would consider their advice over mine.

I've only had chickens for less than 1 year, and literally integrated ONE cockerel, just recently.

From what I gather, from the people I got my cockerel from, was they had 2? other roosters, and this 6 month old Easter Egger was coming of age, and fighting with the other roos, and needed to be rehomed.

From careful observation over the past few weeks, I have noticed that with this new boy in my flock of 18 month old hens and 3 month old pullets, that he has single handedly, and literally overnight, transformed my flock from a loose bunch of squabbling wanderers, who would NOT put themselves to bed reliably at a decent time, to a well knit band of seemingly organized, happy, and well behaved, (even with the babies) birds, who, under the new cockerels leadership, stay together (for the most part) and put themselves up in a decent manner.

Also gone is the squabbling and infighting of the hens, and although the littles still have their own sub flock, the pecking and chasing was virtually eliminated, allowing the chicks to hang out in more direct contact with the older girls.

I (they) now have a MUCH more structured order that allows me more freedom in my flock management, time, and peace of mind, which I didn't have before.

These are just observations from a new, and inexperienced chicken tender.

In all honesty, I believe I got VERY lucky with this new boy !!!

Thanks again to @Pawsitivly for helping me solve some chicken problems I had.

 

[Ruthster55]

All who have replied have waaaay more experience than I have, and would consider their advice over mine.

I've only had chickens for less than 1 year, and literally integrated ONE cockerel, just recently.

From what I gather, from the people I got my cockerel from, was they had 2? other roosters, and this 6 month old Easter Egger was coming of age, and fighting with the other roos, and needed to be rehomed.

From careful observation over the past few weeks, I have noticed that with this new boy in my flock of 18 month old hens and 3 month old pullets, that he has single handedly, and literally overnight, transformed my flock from a loose bunch of squabbling wanderers, who would NOT put themselves to bed reliably at a decent time, to a well knit band of seemingly organized, happy, and well behaved, (even with the babies) birds, who, under the new cockerels leadership, stay together (for the most part) and put themselves up in a decent manner.

Also gone is the squabbling and infighting of the hens, and although the littles still have their own sub flock, the pecking and chasing was virtually eliminated, allowing the chicks to hang out in more direct contact with the older girls.

I (they) now have a MUCH more structured order that allows me more freedom in my flock management, time, and peace of mind, which I didn't have before.

These are just observations from a new, and inexperienced chicken tender.

In all honesty, I believe I got VERY lucky with this new boy !!!

Thanks again to @Pawsitivly for helping me solve some chicken problems I had.

I'm so happy you have had a great experience!! You stated very well how a good rooster helps organize the flock and saves time in getting the hens up on the roost in the evening!

 

[Ridgerunner]

What are the considerations I should have for adding a mature rooster to the flock?

I see you are from Cookieville, the home of good old TT on U, the armpit of the Upper Cumberland. You can probably tell I went to school there. I did enjoy the school and the area. I occasionally drive by. It has changed in five decades but still a nice place.

Considerations? You hit one, a mature rooster at least a year old. Typically that is about the easiest integration there is, a mature rooster to a flock of mature hens with no other rooster in the flock. A mature rooster swaggers in full of self-confidence, impresses then with his magnificence, mates one or two, and the flock is his. Sometimes the dominant hen may object, she may not want to give up flock dominance, so there can be a scrimmage or even a little fighting. But it's usually not bad at all.

If you put in an immature cockerel in that environment the hens will probably not be favorably impressed. They may just ignore him or they may beat him up. I don't recommend adding an immature cockerel unless there is some compelling reason.

I don't know how much you understand about quarantine, when it is highly recommended or it may not be as necessary. I can add my opinions to that if you wish.

Any other considerations are your personal goals and preferences and are more around which rooster to add. The "how" to me is to just turn him loose with them.