Does my solitary house rooster need a hen?

[shanadienne]

Awkward question, but while I've had house hens, I've never kept a rooster separate from the flock for an extended period of time, and I am wondering if he needs access to a hen to mate with. I don't know if he's getting frustrated/uncomfortable over time, if you know what I mean.

(Edit: in case anyone wonders, he's indoors because of frostbite)

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mine occasionally get frostbite and I leave them in the coop to heal. Your rooster will be fine without conjugal visits. Removing him from the flock and keeping him in a warmer environment might cause more troubles than him not mating.

 

[shanadienne]

We did that at first, but it's his toes and some of the hens just would not leave his bandage alone, like cats with a laser pointer.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

He will be fine without mating. I have kept roosters separated for months from the hens.

A few of my roosters have lost toes over the years. It can help to have wider roosts so they can cover their toes better at night, otherwise they hang out and get frostbite. They also don't tuck their head under a wing at night like the hens do so they often get frostbite on the combs and wattles too. Winter is harder on roosters than hens.

 

[shanadienne]

Yeah, definitely. I've had plenty of roosters with frostbitten combs and wattles; this little guy (very large bantam) is the first one to have issues with his toes.