Some where out there is the article that discusses how a hen can actually decide if she wants to accept the deposit by the rooster. She can eject it if she desires. For instance, she has judged that rooster as not of the highest quality with which to preserve her genetics, she ejects his deposit, and she waits for a genetically better rooster to mate with her.
I just read earlier today, that the hens with the largest combs are the most attractive to the roosters and get mated with most often. I didn't read all of the article so I didn't see if it discussed the differences between combs (cushion, pea, rose, straight, etc.).
I have had two roosters protecting a flock much of the time (second one is backup). The dominant rooster does purposely give the less dominant rooster opportunities to mate with the hens. I've seen it happen and read about the system.
In some settings where only single male is though to be garnering all the matings, there can be a satellite that gets some, usually a minority. The satellite male in chickens could be thus a paid backup in case the harem master is lost ensuring the original harem master's offspring get protection without a lapse. With my birds, a cock with his harem of hen(s) and offspring can be constantly shadowed by a bullstag which would slip seamlessly into the harem master role of cock is removed. Bullstag then protects all offspring because at least some are his.
The mating game gets real interesting when you start looking at the role of sneaking and cuckholdery which can be perpetrated by both genders.
I have even seen such in a type of fish where the differing roles are lifelong.