4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Tiggy]

my friend has 3 girls & has been offered a cockeral by a neighbour (farm) she was worried it may upset her girls who are about 12 months old, he is about the same age - does she need to introduce him in the same way as intros for new hens

[superjules]

Tiggy, I don't think anyone on here would have experience of this. I would think that you can just chuck him in and let him get on with it, but as I say I'm not speaking from experience.

 

Sorry, not very helpful but I didn't want your post to go unanswered.

[Nuggywoo]

Hi Tiggy

 

Just noticed your post...

 

When I got my banty cockerel I put him in my arc & pen so my 2 8mth old (large fowl) girls could see him (he was about the same age). When I checked on him about 2 hrs later, I opened the side and he flew away

 

He came back that night, settled in bed and waited for his girls

 

I've had no trouble from any of them whatsoever and they are happy - even with another cockerel and 3 more girls who were all babies when they met - he's half their size but is still in charge!

 

I would be inclined to keep him separate for a little while, let them see each other then introduce them but keep watch. Bear in mind that they will recognise the cockerel as a 'man' and that he will look after them.

 

Maybe I was lucky with mine but I would certainly do it that way again.

 

Good luck to your friend and hope this helps.

[Karen Pimlott]

He will be fine ..straight in the worst he'll do is his 'thing' probably straight away & several times but he'll settle down, he shouldnt or wont get picked on as if it where a new female you where putting in.

 

K

[craftyhunnypie]

I hatched my cockerel along with his friend Boon (girl) - so when they were old enough, they lived outside in the eglu, with the other girls wandering round their run. After a few weeks we let them out & they have both been fine as Bumble the cockerel protected his friend Boon from any pecking order sort outs! It was great!

I introduced Spongebob, the frizzle cockerel to my Bantams a couple of weeks after I got them. He went straight in & there was no problem, but they had previously all lived together anyway on my friends smallholding.

 

Emma.x

[Tiggy]

thanks everyone I will go & see my friend tonight - any excuse

[CockADoodleDoo]

as he is only 12 weeks old and probably not mature yet i think that you can just chuck him straight in