Instructions
Provide a temporary home for the new rooster. Provide a temporary pen outside that shares a side with the permanent pen where the rest of the flock is housed. Reinforce the shared side of the fence with poultry mesh. Attach the poultry mesh to your current fence. Nail the mesh to wooden fences or attach the mesh to wire fences using twine.
Place the rooster in the temporary pen. Allow interaction between the flock members and the rooster through the fence.
Feed the flock and the new rooster at the same time. Hens and roosters enjoy eating together. Keep the birds on the same feeding schedule, everyday.
Introduce the rooster to weaker birds of the flock. Place the rooster in a third pen. Provide plenty of safe areas in the third pen for hiding. Place a few of the weaker birds of the flock in the third pen. Keep the introduction brief at around five minutes. Take the flock birds out of the pen. Leave the rooster in the pen. Bring the same hens back to the pen after thirty minutes. Continue this exercise until the birds are no longer interested in one another. Increase the duration of the interactions in five minute increments. Continue until all the flock birds interact with the rooster.
Continue slowly introducing the rooster to the flock for a period of two to three weeks. Give the flock and the new rooster frequent face time. Observe the behavior between the rooster and other birds. Watch for any continued hostility. Remove hostile birds from the rooster.
Put the rooster in the permanent pen. Place the rooster in his new home once the birds appear indifferent to one another. Continue watching the interaction between the new rooster and the other birds.
How to Introduce a Rooster to a Flock
Buying a new rooster for your flock is exciting. There are a variety of rooster breeds to choose from and each rooster has his own personality. However, new birds are typically not immediately welcomed into a flock. In order to avoid a fatal fight or severe injury to your new rooster or one of your flock, you must be cautious. Slow introductions between your new rooster and your flock ensure that the birds are happy and safe.