Year old Rooster Hiding from Hens

[rockintheboat]

I have 12 hens. 3-silkies, 3-prod-reds, 3- leg horns and 3- sex-links. They are all the same age, about 18 weeks. My friend is moving and gave me his 1 year old Bantam Rooster, and a brand new hatch-ling. The baby is in the house in intensive care and doing wonderful.

The roo, was introduced into the coop at night and the next morning we found him hiding under the woodshop while the Hens patrolled the woods next to their coop...as usual... The roo doesn't seem to have any interest in coming out, or approaching the hens at all.

Its very hot today, 85 degrees.

Any thoughts ? or suggestions?

will nature just eventually "kick in" ?

 

[Den in Penn]

Welcome to BYC.
By putting him in with out an introduction period your hens are for now, treating him like a stranger. They most likely show their displeasure by giving him a rude greeting. If they haven't beat him up to the point of bleeding and aren't hunting him down, you might as well leave him adjust on his own. They will start to accept his presence and he will become bolder with time.

 

[rockintheboat]

I put extra watering stations out so he won't become dehydrated. Hopefully he will "man" up and come take charge. Right now, Big Red (red production hen) is running the show.

 

[rockintheboat]

He's back. They are all getting along.....sort of....