Chicken boarders

[Tweety]

I have never had a cockerel before, but fell in love with a pair of beautiful frizzled pekins at a rare breed sale last weekend and couldn't resist buying them. They are in quarantine at the moment, but I was just wondering if introducing a cockerel and his other half to my established girls is the same process as introducing new girls - should I do anything differently, or expect a different reaction from my girls to a male being introduced to their flock?

Any advice please?

[Patricia W]

It's usually easier with a cockerel, but does depend on age, comparative size etc. Mature cockerels will usually sort the girls out although the top chook may well challenge. But if it's a young one, and smaller than the other chickens and he could be bullied.

 

I'd follow the same process for introductions but you may be lucky and it may be quicker. Merging in his "wife" may be slower - she'll have competition!

 

Tricia

[craftyhunnypie]

When I've merged a cockerel in - I've normally sneaked him through the eggport at night. He has usually become top of the pecking order right away. I've only done this with cockerels that were the same age as the pullets.

Being as you also have a lady with him in the pair, the lady could get bullied. I'd go along the lines of introduction / separation techniques. Allowing them all to free range together under your supervision. That way you can assess behaviour. I've done that & only left one eglu open..that way at bedtime they have to 'get on' - no choice!

 

Emma.x

[Redwing]

What breed and age are the existing hens and how old are the newbies?

[Tweety]

Thanks everyone. I intend to introduce them only to my 3 bantams - a partridge Wyandotte aged about 2, another frizzled Pekin also aged about 2, and a silkie/frizzle which I think was hatched this year. They are all much the same size as each other, and I wouldn't start any intros until my new boy and girl have grown to a reasonable size. They are quite small at the moment, although I don't know their exact age, and I am not in any hurry to introduce them.