Will a roo "attack" newly introduced hens?

[Amy's Animals]

I know this is has nothing to do w/ breeds or gender but I'm hoping to get more replies right here then I did on managing the flock, on which i only got 1 reply, so please help. I have two seperate coops that connect w/ a little "chicken" door. One coop is larger and contains only 3 chickens, 1 layer hen and a silkie pair. The second, much smaller, contains 4- 12 week old layer pullets. If I were to open up the little door and let them together, which would make many things a lot easier for me, would the silkie roo "attack" the "new" pullets????

 

[flora]

Your rooster probably wont attack but your hens will. It takes a while for them to get adjusted to new chickens.

 

[Amy's Animals]

Quote:
Thank you, Flora. I couldn't help noticing that you live very close to me! That is if you live near Grants Pass, OR, I live fairly close to Medford. I hope you're enjoying this site! I sure am!

 

[crazy4eggsJulie]

I'm pretty new to chickens but have noticed that our three roosters could care less about the younger birds. Our silkie roo would actually eat and rest with them. He seemed to want to get away from the lead hen just as much as they did! But every one of our older girls makes it VERY clear that the younger chicks are NOT WELCOME. (including our silkie female who should not be as aggressive as she is) It has been weeks since we combined the two ages. Things are better, but the older hens clearly rule the roost and peck the little ones non-stop even for getting near them. I think they are who you would have to watch out for.

 

[pdsavage]

Every time I have introduced a Roo its been the hens who attack the Roo...

 

[Goose and Fig]

That's right- the older hens can be pretty nasty when a newcomer arrives. I've even seen them pick on a returning broody that was in the coop with them before.

I have a barred rock that is at the bottom of the pecking order. The poor thing looks like crap. When she gets too bad- I put her in with the banties to grow some feathers back. The banty hens don't mind her- but the roos chase her for a day or so until they establish who "gets" her.

Sorry to go off topic but- I finally sold my RIR trio. My kids were terrified of the big red roo. That meant I could let everyone free range together. My banty roo was ecstatic! More girls! It was so funny watching him dance around the big girls.

 

[Judy]

Trouble is, they are individuals, so no one can tell you what will happen with certainty. It can be anything from a few minutes of minor pecking to murder. You just have to try it, observe, and do what is needed. General rule: leave it alone if there is no blood.

Helps to have them where they can see and hear each other for a while, but still be fenced from each other, before mixing them, if you can.

Maybe there is something on this site that will help you a bit:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock