Young Rooster with old hens?

[Suzierd]

I purchased some Jubilee Orpington chicks I ended up with three hens and one Rooster when they were old enough they joined the flock of four older hens. My sweet fair ruling hen Heidi was eventually knocked off her throne when the Roo got old enough. Not only did he chase her down put when he was holding her down the jubilee hens would attack her so she was knocked way down the pecking order. To stop this I separated the Roo and one of his hens with him. Things are going good but gets a bit ruff I let the hen out but I think will calm down in time. I let the Roo out and he seems to breed Heidi the most because she's so submissive And She hides in the coup. I'm torn on keeping the Roo or not I do like him I raised him and he is a good boy just wants to breed a lot being only eight months old. So asking for opinions, will the old hens eventually like him or be happier without a Roo?

 

[The Phantom]

If you are adding your 4 young ones to 4 old ones you should be safe. If it were just the roo I would worry.

 

[Suzierd]

If you are adding your 4 young ones to 4 old ones you should be safe. If it were just the roo I would worry.

Yes, plus I have three more hens that are three years old waiting to join the flock.

 

[The Phantom]

Yes, plus I have three more hens that are three years old waiting to join the flock.

I would add all at once. They will figure out the pecking order faster.

 

[chickenmeadow]

Throughout the year, the dynamics of pecking order seem to change & in their own sweet time. No matter what I think I could do to help things along, they seem to just work things out as I cringe. Sometimes when various ones molt, other hens take advantage of their embarrassment of missing feathers, (if I see skin damage/blood then they get to wear a chicken apron until their new quills open into feathers). I only step in & do something to seperate if I think they're being injured badly, other than that they eventually get braver, only they can set that pace. Pecking orders are enviable. Best wishes.

 

[aart]

Wondering if Heidi is really submitting to him?
Did he mate her?
Head hen often does not want to give up her dominance to any younger bird.
How old is this 'rooster'?
Young cockerels can be idiots, takes strong hens to school them, and some cockerels can't be schooled.
How long have they been integrated?
Having lots of space and 'hiding' places can really help.

Here's some tips that might help, maybe you've seen them before, but still:
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.

 

[chickens really]

I would toss them all together and let the Cockerel if over 8 months get the Hens to behave. A good Rooster doesn't allow fights amoungst Hens. If he has too? he makes them summit. Separating is only prolonging the process.

 

[Suzierd]

Wondering if Heidi is really submitting to him?
Did he mate her?
Head hen often does not want to give up her dominance to any younger bird.
How old is this 'rooster'?
Young cockerels can be idiots, takes strong hens to school them, and some cockerels can't be schooled.
How long have they been integrated?
Having lots of space and 'hiding' places can really help.

Here's some tips that might help, maybe you've seen them before, but still:
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.

Yes he was breeding her, he is eight months old. I have him separate right now to hopefully cool his jets for awhile. I didn't like seeing her hide in the coup. Thanks for the tips I have done all these things. This has been a hard decision for me.

 

[chickens really]

If it's too emotional for you?..Don't have a Rooster. Humanizing them is not fair. Chickens understand Chickens...

 

[MatthewsHomestead]

Throughout the year, the dynamics of pecking order seem to change & in their own sweet time. No matter what I think I could do to help things along, they seem to just work things out as I cringe. Sometimes when various ones molt, other hens take advantage of their embarrassment of missing feathers, (if I see skin damage/blood then they get to wear a chicken apron until their new quills open into feathers). I only step in & do something to seperate if I think they're being injured badly, other than that they eventually get braver, only they can set that pace. Pecking orders are enviable. Best wishes.

If they begin to bleed, the apron is good to hide it from the other chickens, but treating the wound is a good idea. There is a poultry wound care spray that is all natural (it utilizes natural plants such as rosemary). It works superbly and has a calming effect. I'll try to take a pic of it when I get home. I've had mine for a while, it lasts a long time.