When can I put my pullets with my One year old roo?

[chicgirl03]

I have three pullets that I think are going on 4 months. They are fully feathered and it sounds like their voices are starting to change from chirps to clucks a little bit.

They are in a pen outside during the day and then I bring them into my shed at dusk. This is getting very demanding and would like to go ahead and introduce them to my roo so they can be in the run and coop with him but I don't want to if he may hurt them.

A bit of history about him...he was in with my other roo and three hens who were all raised together until the beginning of January and I found the two roos fighting to the death. So I seperated them and now they each have their own coops. He hasn't been around other hens since then...

I got these hens to put in with him and just need to know what the rule of thumb is for the ages of mixing hens with roos?

thanks!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

At 4 months old these pullets may still be too young to comply with the rooster for mating. He'll probably want to try & they'll squawk & pull away. At around 20 weeks the pullets will be more compliant. Their combs will be redder and they'll be more willing around the rooster, they'll squat down when he gives them attention.

You could *try* putting them together for a chaperoned meeting, scatter some cracked corn or other treat and the roo will play host, buk-buk-bukking to the girls "Look what I've found for you!" If he treats them gently you can leave them all together.

 

[Matt A NC]

Until the new ladies are ready to be mated by a Roo, I would not put them in. He could accidently hurt one by forcing her.

Matt