4 Hens 5 ROOS Why are 3 of them trying to mount the Hens?!

[ChickyLoo]

We hatched some chicks of which 4 were Roos another Roo was given to us. I know we can only keep 1 ROO for this mutt flock & the rest are gonna have to go to freezer camp

It appears the larger/older of the 5 ROOS is in charge (he's about 20wks old) sometimes...I say sometimes because now the smaller roos who are now about 17wks old are also crowing and they are mounting the hens!? The ROO that is 20wks stays close to the hens, chases the other ROOS away & seems to be doing his job. I thought only the head ROO mounted the hens?! I'm very confuzzled........

 

[ChickyLoo]

Does breed come into plsy here? The head roo is a sex link 20wks no signs of aggression, is he too passive??

 

[speckledhen]

They'll all mount the hens if the alpha rooster lets them get away with it.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Quote:
yeppers.

 

[ChickyLoo]

Quote:
Oh no! Not good for the poor hens! If he lets them get away with it does this mean he's a wimpy roo? The other roos aren't respecting his position?

 

[speckledhen]

Who knows? It is what it is and you may have to get rid of 4 of the roosters for your poor hens' sakes.

 

[ChickyLoo]

Quote:
I know....we hatched these babies so I'm attached

but I knew this day was coming.