Is doing 'deed' cruel?

[wannahavehens]

I have 8 pullets who are not all laying yet. He does seem to split his attention evenly between them, and there hasn't been any blood or feathers flying yet. I'll see how it goes. I don't know what to do with him if we don't want him. I know people say here that they look for new chicken recipes, but I am not in this for meat and don't think I could kill him. I have seen a few fliers around saying- Rooster Found- I wouldn't want to do that either.

 

[MagsC]

Like said, its a natural thing, though if they are cut up and such its best to get a different rooster.
Also, make sure there are enough hens. I thought I read something like 10 hens to one rooster?

 

[MrGreenJeans]

While we're on the subject - I heard an awful racket from the run the other day and looked out to see my roo causing quite a commotion. Most of the pullets are around 19 weeks, the cock's possibly a week older or so.

I saw what I assumed to be a clumsy adolescent mating ritual - with the exception of him with her neck in his mouth, pinning her head to the ground. Needless to say, she wasn't particularly thrilled and was letting him and the whole neighborhood know. Is it possible that what I witnessed was something else ? Some sort of pecking order adjustment or fit of aggression? Or was it simply a, uh, teenager fumbling with the bra strap ?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
It was that dang bra strap. Honestly, it does get better. It seems the roos are always ready way ahead of the girls, so the girls put up a fight. Once the hens are laying or close to laying they don't put up such a fight and it's over in literally five seconds.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Although I know that its a natural process, and it only SOUNDS like the hens are having their heads ripped off.... this is another reason I choose to AI when I have an exceptionally aggressive rooster.


*** or have chosen, since I haven't been AI'ing very long. ***

 

[mudderhen]

I have another question along those lines. I have three pullets that have only been laying for a couple of months. They are standard size (2- Turkens & 1- partridge Rock) when they were in a pen with my silver laced polish roo, I was getting several eggs that were fertile, but since I have moved them in with my Bantam cochin roo, no eggs fertilized. I don't know if he is too small, or if he needs Viagra. I have never seen him act like a man, just a perfect gentleman. Any clues?