Cockerels mating with young hens

[daniel95]

Hi all,

I have a mixed breed flock of 2 cockerels (Orpington & Polish Frizzle) and 4 hens (silkies, plymouth & Pekin) all coming up to 5 months. My issue is the cockerels are starting to attempt mating with the hens and it looks/sounds terrible (chasing them down, pulling at feathers & mating). They were all raised together so have gotten along fine but I'm concerned for the well being of the hens. My Orpington is a very big boy and tries to mate with the bantam pekin, it's quite a size difference so looks odd. Plus it's becoming more regular so don't want the hens becoming stressed as I'm assuming they are coming up to laying age.

Apart from the loud squawking, there has been no injuries.

Is this something that will pass? Or is it time to move on the males?

Cheers,
Daniel

EDIT: The reasons we have males was purely from raising day olds and ending up with 2. The family have become attached to them - no intentions for breeding.

 

[RWise]

Your pullets must have nice red combs, which tells them (the cockerel) it is time. I dont like watching the youngsters, nor what they do to the hens/pullets so I put them in bachelor pads in full site of the flock until they are at least 1 YO, I prefer 2 YOs. I also only run 1 rooster on the flock at a time (and keep a back up or 2).
Yes they will, or should grow out of it by 1 YO, not all roosters are good roosters,,,
Good luck!

 

[Saaniya]

Keep them away from young girls till they start laying
Mating at young age may affect their reproductive system if they didn't start laying

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi all,

I have a mixed breed flock of 2 cockerels (Orpington & Polish Frizzle) and 4 hens (silkies, plymouth & Pekin) all coming up to 5 months. My issue is the cockerels are starting to attempt mating with the hens and it looks/sounds terrible (chasing them down, pulling at feathers & mating). They were all raised together so have gotten along fine but I'm concerned for the well being of the hens. My Orpington is a very big boy and tries to mate with the bantam pekin, it's quite a size difference so looks odd. Plus it's becoming more regular so don't want the hens becoming stressed as I'm assuming they are coming up to laying age.

Apart from the loud squawking, there has been no injuries.

Is this something that will pass? Or is it time to move on the males?

Cheers,
Daniel

EDIT: The reasons we have males was purely from raising day olds and ending up with 2. The family have become attached to them - no intentions for breeding.

Honestly, it has just begun with the mating. Your cockerels will continue with their behavior.
The BO will likely be a big boy, mine topped out at around 8.5lbs, a big rooster needs big hens, imho.
I have never had bantams, but personally would not mix large fowl with bantams, especially with a large fowl cockerel/rooster.

You have a few choices:

• House the cockerels separately, this will buy you time to decide what to do.
• Make 2 flocks, get more large fowl pullets/hens to live with the BO and let the Polish live with the silkies and pekin
• Re-home at least one of the cockerels, with your mix, likely the BO due to size
• Grow out the BO and have a nice dinner

Since you do not plan on breeding you may actually want to re-home both cockerels.

Just my 2¢

 

[aart]

Your pullets must have nice red combs, which tells them (the cockerel) it is time.

It's a rare cockerel that waits until pullets are 'red and ready' to mate and lay.
Usually they are all over the girls by about 4 months, way before the girls are ready.

It's ugly, but natural, and stressful for all involved ....cockerels here go to the freezer at 12-16 weeks. Separating will reduce the stress until you can get rid of them.

 

[Chickassan]

With just four hens and two boys your hens are really going to suffer despite what breeds you have. And it won't improve for a very long time, it might get worse young boys tend to double team.

 

[aart]

it might get worse young boys tend to double team.

yes...and just the 'multiple males' factor will increase harassment due to competition.

 

[daniel95]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I’ve rang the breeder and because they are apparently show standard, they are happy to take them back.

Sad to see them go but at least it’ll be a happy flock now!