Introducing grower cockerel to flock

greatbarnet

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Hi

I hope I'm not asking a question already asked - I've had a good look through and can't find exactly the same issue raised elsewhere, so here goes:

I'm wondering about introducing a young cockerel to an existing one. Basically I have an existing flock of 2 hens and 1 cockerel, and I have 3 five week old chicks (of which I'm pretty sure one is a roo). The youngsters are still in their brooder, not even permanently outdoors yet, and I don't plan introducing them for several weeks (I've read 16 weeks is about right?) or at least until they are nearer the same size as my existing ones. I plan to have them in a separate run alongside my other run for a while so they get used to each other for a few weeks and then one night after bedtime put them in the existing flock's coop. (Please let me know if this is not the best way!)

Anyway, am I right in understanding that when I do introduce them it will be fine if one of them is indeed a cockerel, and that if he's young he won't initially be a threat to my existing cockerel (himself an 18 month old bantam Wyandotte). Or should I not even try to put them together? I've been told they should be fine for about a year; is this true? I know it rather depends on the personality of the cockerels concerned, but am I being foolish to even try it?

Thanks!
 
Yep, the introduction is spot on, but two cockerels to four hens, depends how much room you have, but in a close situation no.
It will be Ok until the second cock reaches sexual maturity, then there will be trouble.
 
Ok thanks. I knew I'd have to separate them eventually into their own harems; but hopefully I've got a couple of months at least then? I just didn't want my current cockerel to kill him on first sight or something! (Well, he sees the chicks when they are out in their "day run" at the moment and he pays them no attention whatsoever). But until the new boy is crowing properly I should be safe? (He hasn't started trying yet.) They will be free ranging in about an acre most of the time when they are together: Hopefully they'll give me some warning if trouble is brewing so I'll put them all in together until then. Thanks.
 
With an acre they can avoid each other. He will probably be in more danger from your adult hens, until he is mature.
 

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