breeding question

Hello all, I have a question on breeding. I have a roo that I like his coloring and a hen I Ilke her laying and personality and I have them in a coop to breed. But as far as I can see (which isn't all the time) they have not bred. I'd like to use the coop now for other birds, is there anyway to (ok I know this is the wrong terminology, but it's the only way I can describe it...sry if I offend anyone)- manually breed them? From what I've read here on BYC it is simply the roo has to touch or rub (?) the hens bottom and she is fertile. perhaps that is way off in left field, if it's not possible then so be it, but... i'd still like to see what genetics I get. (they are both EE) Can I just rub his bottom to her bottom???

Also, I have a roo who is mean to some of my hens, he pecks their heads till they bleed, chases them till they become submissive then he jumps on their heads and back, not even trying to mate. I have some hens who don't come out of the coop b/c he's there. Is this one I should cull or just keep in a separate pen?

thx julie

The first issue - no, manually breeding them would be a matter of doing AI (Artificial Insemination), not manually mating the two birds. That would be impractical and unnecessary. How long have they been in the breeding pen? One mating incident can result in several days of ferlized egg laying - not seeing mating does not mean it is not occurring. Take a few of the eggs the hen has laid and crack them to check for signs of fertility - examining the germinal disc on the yolk is how this is done. There are several threads and photos of fertile vs. infertile eggs here on BYC, here is one example:



The second issue - you could try a "time out" period of separation and then reintegrate him, but chances are not great for a rehabilitation if things are as extreme as you say. How old is this bird? An immature male can often go through a period of bad manners with regards to how he handles his hens during the initial surge of hormones. Are there other males in the flock this bird is in?

they have been in the breeding pen for about 3 weeks. the roo is only 4 mo old, however I had seen him actively mating with other hens.

the bad roo is about 3 yo. I have tried time out, and it works for a short amount of time. there are 2 other young roos (both 4 mo old.) of which one is in the mating pen, the other stays off in the woods. he is a beautiful roo, and I can hold him without him pecking me.

If it were my flock, I'd get rid of the rooster who is being hard on the hens. As Ol' Grey Mare said, check for fertility in the eggs you are hoping to hatch.

juleeque said:

they have been in the breeding pen for about 3 weeks. the roo is only 4 mo old, however I had seen him actively mating with other hens. 

the bad roo is about 3 yo. I have tried time out, and it works for a short amount of time. there are 2 other young roos (both 4 mo old.) of which one is in the mating pen, the other stays off in the woods.   he is a beautiful roo, and I can hold him without him pecking me. 

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Pretty is as pretty does! At 3 years this isn't just adolescent hijinks, I'd try crockpot rehab.

Ol Grey Mare said:

Pretty is as pretty does! At 3 years this isn't just adolescent hijinks, I'd try crockpot rehab.

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x2!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/16008/how-to-tell-a-fertile-vs-infertile-egg-pictures

Good thread with many photos of fertile eggs. Check them and if not fertile I'd say the cockerel is still too young. Either not potent yet or the older hen is not allowing him to mate her as he's young. Until he's of full size and she excepts him as the dominant she can keep him at bay.

so just b/c they are in the same coop doesn't mean she will allow him to mate with her? ok...being new that kinda confuses me....he mates with other adult hens when he's free ranging, so how come (maybe) he's not while in the pen??? is it simply B/C he is in the pen?? or maybe it's simply I haven't seen them??? I checked the egg and it looked like a light dot...

Unless you're watching them 24/7, you may not see them mate. It's over in seconds.

ok thanks y'all!