Do I need a new roo?

[packinaglock]

I bought a incubator about two years ago and had great luck with the ammount of eggs that hatched. I had a different roo back then and about every 5 minuits he was having his way with the ladies(I usually keep about 10). Well he was killed by a raccon, and his son has now grown up (about a year old) and I have never once seen him mount a hen. With my old roo (dad) almost all 30 eggs would hatch, but with his son only about 5. Could it be he really has no interest in the ladies or do chickens realize they are related and will not mate. Do I need to get a roo from outside of my flock?
Thanks Dave

 

[LarryPQ]

*cough*

Chickens do not care about incestious relationships.

Of the eggs that do not hatch, are they infertile, or just not hatching? If you see blood rings, then the roo IS doing his job.

Otherwise, it sounds like your roo is having fertility issues---or perhaps the hens have super-fluffy butts.

 

[packinaglock]

He just seems to have no interest at all, otherwise he is doing his job as in alerting the hens to food finds and being protective. Thanks for the responce, I guess I was just used to the two previous roos I had that would wear the feathers off of the ladies backs.

 

[teach1rusl]

I would go more by checking the eggs as Laree suggested rather than you actually seeing the deed done (some roos are discreet), or feather wear (some rooster are more gentle than others) or hatch rate (because things don't always work out w/incubations even with fertile eggs). Maybe there IS a fertitlity issue, but maybe there isn't. The roo doesn't care/know about blood relationships.

 

[Warrprincess688]

He sounds pretty gentle natured for a roo. If you really want babies, you can get a new Roo, which im sure would solve your issue. He is breeding just maybe not as much as his dad did.

 

[7L Farm]

My roo No's how to do it. LOL! Kidding aside. I watch him mate the hens & I guarantee he does his job. My hatch rate also proves it.You can tell if he's mating correctly.