Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Roobaloo]

I have two hybrid hens, both almost 1yr old and I'm planning to introduce a Wyandotte cockerel (currently about 15 weeks old...)

 

He's getting far too big for his current companions, which are three young Polands - he was raised with one and the other two are still being introduced...and he's already showing signs of being very dominant towards the two new hens and defending his brooder-buddy!! He is now about as big as my top hen (she is the smallest of the two)

 

How long should I leave it before he's ready to be introduced? How should I go about introductions to the big girls?

 

...also, when is he likely to find his voice? Is it an age or a status thing?

 

Thanks!

 

[meezers]

Just going by my small experience with Dilbert and Dandelion.My faverolles Dilbert was the dominant cockerel,he was kept in with Muppet ( bantam silkie who hatched him ), Dandelion- silkie cockerel , his Faverolles sister and an araucana.

As he got bigger I worried about him being in with Muppet, but when I tried to put him in with the older girls when he was about 18 weeks, he was terrified of them and they just laughed at him ( if you know what I mean )

He started crowing at 21 weeks old and I tried him in with the older girls on the same day, I just took down the partition and let himj in with them. Apart from a scuffle with Ozzy ( top chook)he quickly became boss and sorted out any squabbles when I integrated the rest of his group.

Dandelion started crowing the same day as Dilbert, but crows less, whether thats just him or because Dilbert was the dominant one I don't know.He hasn't crowed at all this week.

[Patricia W]

I should just try it and see. It's usually easier than integrating hens together, although the top chook will probably have a go. Especially if there's a size difference. Be prepared for some degree of separation if necessary though.

 

Tricia

[Roobaloo]

Well, Oscar has met the girls.

 

I introduced him to Toph first as she's not top hen but she's little less predictable. She'd either go for him or back down. Well, it proved a good choice, he raised his hackles, stood fully erect and put her in her place...she didn;t run at first, merely back down...so it gave him a good ego boost. So after a little while, I switched and let Toph out to have a break and let Suki (top hen) in. Again, Oscar drew himself up to his full height, towering over little Suki.

 

...and Suki rained hell upon him. He shrank into a corner so fast you'd think his legs had fallen off. She let him, be so I thought that she'd asserted herself and that was that, she'd now just keep him in place. No. Every time he tried to move (to escape!) she lunged at him and pinned him down. He make one last break for it and she jumped at him and grabbed his comb!!! So I snatched him out the way, cleaned his comb with some antiseptic and put him on the highest platform whilst the girls free-ranged. He flattened himself down as if trying to blend into the wooden shelf...and he didn't move for 2hrs!!

 

So he now has his own fenced off area in the run...but the only problem is night time - will he be warm enough if I just give him a roosting bar or does he need something enclosed? He spent last night is a cat carrier in the conservatory.

 

I'm giving him some time to recover from the shock of getting his ass whooped by a hen...what'd be the best way to proceed? Leave him seperate until he displays some dominance or keep trying?

 

Thanks!!