When to introduce chicks to rooster with no hens?

[katelk]

I have a young roo who is about 5 months or so now (silkie/cochin). Until now he has been my only chicken. I now have 5 orpington chicks that are almost 5 weeks old in a brooder.
As far as I can tell they will all be female as they all still have very small, very pale combs.
I took the chicks out to where they could walk around right across the fence from my roo today and he was going nuts wanting to get near them. He is the sweetest rooster, but I was not sure if he was wanting to be aggressive or just really excited?
He was running back and forth and clucking like crazy trying to stick his face through the fence.
At what age should chicks be introduced to a roo in this situation and how? Also, since he has not been around other chickens yet how can I tell if he is getting aggressive vs. excited? Any and all info will be much appreciated!

 

[DavidKerk]

I would wait until they are about 16 weeks which is also the time they go to layer feed. This is the age I introduce my chicks to the rest of the flock. If possible, I'd put the chicks in a pen that is separated by fence from the rooster. This would make the introductory process much easier but is not totally necessary. After he's established himself as top chicken he should try to protect the hens from danger. He might start getting aggressive towards you at this point so if he does then don't ever back down and give him a firm swat. Eventually, he should realize you as top chicken and not challenge you so often

Most chickens usually make that clucking sound when they see a strange chicken.

 

[katelk]

I would wait until they are about 16 weeks which is also the time they go to layer feed. This is the age I introduce my chicks to the rest of the flock. If possible, I'd put the chicks in a pen that is separated by fence from the rooster. This would make the introductory process much easier but is not totally necessary. After he's established himself as top chicken he should try to protect the hens from danger. He might start getting aggressive towards you at this point so if he does then don't ever back down and give him a firm swat. Eventually, he should realize you as top chicken and not challenge you so often

Most chickens usually make that clucking sound when they see a strange chicken.   

Thank you for the info!
That is definitely longer to wait than I expected. I have not been able to find anything online about introducing new chicks to a rooster who has never seen hens before!
I have been worried it would make him more aggressive. Right now he is a big baby. He always wants to follow me around and sleep in my lap, etc. lol.
I am guessing he will not be a big bird puppy anymore haha

 

[Mrs. K]

I think the above poster is giving good advice..... but I think there might be another consideration.... Silkies are not a real big bird, and BO get pretty good size.

So what I am thinking is the the size difference might catch up quite a bit sooner than the 16 weeks mentioned.

So if there is not a huge difference in size, and you have a fishnet, or blanket or something in which you can catch your rooster if it does not work out well, you might try it and see how it goes...... if it upsets the chicks too much, or the roo then separate them and wait

Mrs K

 

[katelk]

Well I introduced them yesterday evening. I took the bottom tray out of a wire dog crate and set it in the grass and put the chicks in there, then let the roo out.
He ran up to the chicks and immediately started doing his gentlemanly wing dance haha
After that they all just pecked around the ground together and were "talking" constantly. He did not free range around the yard at all; just stayed right next to the chicks.
So I guess this went quite well!! thanks for the advice!