Will a rooster allow chicks?

[aart]

I've found low hens much more likely to attack chicks than the cock.

I brood in coop from 1 week after hatch then start integration at 3-4 weeks,
but it took some effort to get a setup that works well.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
Much easier to integrate younger than older.

But I still follow the ....
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.

 

[lomine]

I also have mine in the coop by one week old but I use a fence that has holes big enough for the chicks to move through but the big ones can't. At first the chicks will stick to their area but will eventually grow brave enough to go through the fence. Each day they go further and further into the coop. My rooster doesn't give two licks about chicks. Older hens/pullets will give a little peck on the head if the chicks need to learn their place. I agree that the younger the chick the easier it is to integrate them with the flock. Broody raised chicks are in the general coop by about two days old.

Honestly the biggest problem I've had this year is with my Cayuga ducks. They drowned two chicks, that or the chicks fell in while trying to drink. So I made a half gate that allows all chickens into one section of my coop but no ducks; little chicks can get through the bottom and big chickens can jump over. Ducks won't jump over. I also removed the water bowl. No more deaths.

 

[Mrs. K]

I too am in favor of a one way gate. The chickens and chicks work it out in true chicken society. I used lattice panels, to section off a part of the run, with a shelter in it. When I set it up, I let my hens and rooster out of the run into the yard. Then put the chicks in, if they came out of the lattice, I chased them back in, so they figured out the safe zone.

Let the hens back in, and it worked a charm. Mine were 2 + weeks. Much healthier in my opinion than a brooder box.

Mrs K

 

[varidgerunner]

Depends on your rooster I guess. A good one should not only tolerate them, but brood them, and protect them from any danger, including other hens. It takes a breed that hasn't had all of it's natural instinct bred out in exchange for complete nuttiness. Here is Enchilada with his babies. Nothing is going to mess with them on his watch.

 

[Chickassan]

I'm in love with Enchilada!

Depends on your rooster I guess. A good one should not only tolerate them, but brood them, and protect them from any danger, including other hens. It takes a breed that hasn't had all of it's natural instinct bred out in exchange for complete nuttiness. Here is Enchilada with his babies. Nothing is going to mess with them on his watch.View attachment 1402385

 

[TheTwoRoos]

If I didn’t have a tsc rooster I would get a breed like enchilada,what is he?

Depends on your rooster I guess. A good one should not only tolerate them, but brood them, and protect them from any danger, including other hens. It takes a breed that hasn't had all of it's natural instinct bred out in exchange for complete nuttiness. Here is Enchilada with his babies. Nothing is going to mess with them on his watch.View attachment 1402385

 

[alexa009]

Depends on your rooster I guess. A good one should not only tolerate them, but brood them, and protect them from any danger, including other hens. It takes a breed that hasn't had all of it's natural instinct bred out in exchange for complete nuttiness. Here is Enchilada with his babies. Nothing is going to mess with them on his watch.View attachment 1402385

I didn't know roosters would brood chicks?

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Yes soem will,there is a thread about broody roosters.

 

[varidgerunner]

Enchilada is Sexy's son. (Sexy liked to beg for mexican food fresh from the stovetop) Sadly, Sexy is gone now, and so is Enchilada. Still have Chimichanga, the better of the three brothers. Have a brood coming on out of Chimi and one out of Enchis son Tamale.

Sexy could best be described as a Saigon, which is a blend of Thai and Ga Noi Don. The Ga Noi have a very strong tendency for the males to brood, some even will set eggs. Sexy was crossed on a Pakastani Asil hen. Still have her, she is being bred back to a pure asil son of hers. She is no slouch when it comes to brooding herself, has raised at least three broods a year for going on four years now. Her full brother is pretty good with chicks, haven't seen him brood, though.

Here is Sexy as a young lad.