How long to Keep a Bantam Cochin Roo, for breeding?

[jimnjay]

I am having trouble with my Cochin Roo. I got him at two years old in January. He was from a breeder who uses AI exclusively. He has never mated with the girls in his pen so I decided to try AI. I was sucessfull on a few occasions but he is now not giving any specimens.

I am wondering if he is over the hill breeding wise or if he is just going into a pre molt slump.

How do you other Cochin folks handle your breeding roos?

 

[steve2495]

r u sure he isnt breeding them? many chickens are nvr seen breeding by their owners but the eggs are still fertile. check if the the eggs are fertile or not

 

[WestKnollAmy]

My bantam Cochins have had no trouble at all breeding. My oldest roo is about 3 years old now, is a retired show bird as are some of his ladies and I have not ever had fertility problems. I get a 98% hatch just like I do from all my other breeders of standards and bantams. I seldom see him mate his ladies but he is definitely getting the job done.

 

[Msbear]

Quote:
If he's in with them, he may be breeding them making it more difficult for you to get a sample. Check fertility and get back to us. The "specimen" may be getting wasted on your girls' rump feathers as well as his. Did you notice anything on the feathers below his vent?

I just love chicken people. Who else can I discuss this kinda stuff with!!

 

[jimnjay]

MSbear, LOL, I know what you mean. I clipped the feathers on both the roo and the little girls. I have tested eggs from three different hens and none are fertile except the ones about 3-4 days after the AI started. I got him to cooperate for about 6 days then the last 4 days were a bust. I have left him alone for two days now and plan to do so for the rest of this week.

He chases the little hen in the morning first thing out of the coop and he seems to want to mate but he never actually mounts her. At least he does not when I am around.

He has a home here no matter but I sort of need to know what to expect so I can decide which of the young cockerels will be the keepers. He also seems very ready to challenge the little cockerel boy that was hatched in there 15 weeks ago. He is not having any trouble mounting both mommy and sister. Problem is Duster is a Frizzle and I really wanted some of his chicks. I will just hope the one developing in the incubator will produce a frizzle baby.

 

[Msbear]

Good Luck, Jaynie!! Try keeping him seperate for a couple days then hit him fresh... you may notice a huge...

improvement

 

[joanie_maine]

Quote:
Now there's a good suggestion!!!