Three weeks ago my Chocolate Orpington Bantam pullet, Squeak, hatched babies. Nine survived. She is in a separate coop/run with the babies and the dad...Chocolate Orpington Bantam cockerel named Pip.
Pip is...WAS...an awesome dad. He called them when he found goodies, helped teach them to go up the ramp so they could get into the coop, "protected" them when I entered the run, etc. etc.
I was helping my mom paint the new duck coop/feed shed my stepdad built for her (they live with hubby, kids, and I) when I heard a chick crying very loudly (the coop/run for them is close to where we were working). I ran over to see what was going on, and Pip was mating one of his almost 3 week old offspring! And I KNOW he was mounting it...same movements, same position, etc as when he mounts Squeak. WTH????
I know chickens are animals. I know I should not expect human behaviors and morals from a chicken. But seriously? The chick is a FRACTION of his size! He could have killed it! This tiny, bantam chick being mounted by a 10 month old cockerel! Is this a normal behavior? Why would he mount a tiny chick??? Is he in testosterone overload because Squeak consistently runs and tries to get away when he attempts to mount her? None of the other pullets/hens of my flocks will allow Pip near them, so Squeak is his only mate. I have chicks that I will add to his "flock", but they are only 8 weeks old, so are not ready for the transition yet. Is that what this is all about...he's not "getting any" from Squeak, so he's trying to mate with his children????
edited by staff
Pip is...WAS...an awesome dad. He called them when he found goodies, helped teach them to go up the ramp so they could get into the coop, "protected" them when I entered the run, etc. etc.
I was helping my mom paint the new duck coop/feed shed my stepdad built for her (they live with hubby, kids, and I) when I heard a chick crying very loudly (the coop/run for them is close to where we were working). I ran over to see what was going on, and Pip was mating one of his almost 3 week old offspring! And I KNOW he was mounting it...same movements, same position, etc as when he mounts Squeak. WTH????
I know chickens are animals. I know I should not expect human behaviors and morals from a chicken. But seriously? The chick is a FRACTION of his size! He could have killed it! This tiny, bantam chick being mounted by a 10 month old cockerel! Is this a normal behavior? Why would he mount a tiny chick??? Is he in testosterone overload because Squeak consistently runs and tries to get away when he attempts to mount her? None of the other pullets/hens of my flocks will allow Pip near them, so Squeak is his only mate. I have chicks that I will add to his "flock", but they are only 8 weeks old, so are not ready for the transition yet. Is that what this is all about...he's not "getting any" from Squeak, so he's trying to mate with his children????
edited by staff
Last edited by a moderator:
