Flock Not Flocking

[americanchicks]

Hey all!
Toby is my blue Maran roo. He will be 2 on May 26th (the day before my birthday). I have had him since he was 9 months and he is a great rooster. In typical rooster fashion Toby struts around and and the hens follow. They fallow him everywhere. Even if every hen wasn't with him the majority would be. Lately the flock seems not so flocky. There are a lot of scattered hens around. I have even seen Toby just standing around by himself far from any hens. The egg fertile rate is down too. Last year almost all the eggs where fertile, this year only about half. I cant think of any changes. We have been getting a lot of rain lately but sunshine is in the forecast so that may help. Any Ideas why the flock is not hanging around together? I may try giving Toby treats. He always takes them then feeds them the the girls. I read that behaviour impresses the hens. Maybe I can bring the spark back to the chickens for Valentines Day. Thanks for reading!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you check him out - look for lice/mites, get a fecal float if possible to determine if he's got worms and also see that his crop is emptying overnight.

What do you feed, including treats?

 

[chickens really]

My Roosters always slowdown breeding in the winter and once spring comes the breeding begins again.

 

[Mrs. K]

If he has yellow legs, they will probably be a pale yellowish white. As the daylight increases and intensity of light increases, you may see almost a red line running up his leg (I came here years ago in a panic) And another poster told me, the "sap is rising". He should get naturally more interested.

 

[americanchicks]

No mites or signs of illness. I think you all may be right of it just being a winter thing. He is still doing a great job looking after the flock. Today a crow flew over head and Toby gave the call. Half the flock hid under the trailer while the others ran to Toby. It is always awesome to see roosters do the rooster things