Nope, they won't meld into one flock until they youngers are laying, even then they still may be somewhat separate sub-flocks.My flocks wont have nothing to do with one another. Dont even get in the same pasture or space as the other ones do. They avoid each other.
I think you need to check your expectations, because chickens are not plug and play, and.....Any suggestions on how to get him to step up and do his job?
Plus there's no guarantee that a cock/erel will actually protect a flock anyway.First of all, you don't have a rooster, you have a cockerel. He's still a youngster himself and has no idea what he's supposed to be doing
Well, I can show how I add chicks to the flock:@aart, would you explain the "see-don't-touch" method of integrating please?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
...and I can post my tips about....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.
Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.
In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.
The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.
Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.
Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.