Mating before egglaying starts ??

So does this mean that Rascal is the top gun in the coop?

Possibly. If he is the only male on the flock then yes, it's safe to say he's the "Top Gun," as you put it.
There is the notion that ONLY the alpha male mates the hens. Not so. The lesser males will do it, too, when they can manage to get away with it. This is why breeding is closely controlled, where controlled results are desired.

Study your flock closely. It won't take long to know who's who.

You do know I meant nothing hurtful by my comments, right?
Its only that I have been on an off BYC enough to know that many people impose human manners and yes, folly, on their chickens.
They worry when they are being mean or randy or doing things "humanlike." They shouldn't.
They are chickens and so do as chickens do. Obviously you know that, so accept my apology if I offended you.

For the rest of you who are resisting, repeat after me:
"They're chickens; they do what chickens do..."​
 
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I'm right on board with you
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They screw, eat, poop, repeat. Just like any other living creature.
 
Oh elderoo I didn't think you were being hurtful. I just didn't want you to think I was being naive about it all (just in awe). And yes feeling like "Mom" to them, I really don't like seeing this behaviour but like you say it's what chickens do......
So, I'm not wanting to "breed" the girls, we're just waiting for the eggs. I do have several other banty roos, one leghorn roo (non-aggressive), and we think two EE roos that haven't crowed yet, they are just much larger than the girls are. That's why I was wondering if he is "the man" now.
 
I do have several other banty roos, one leghorn roo (non-aggressive), and we think two EE roos that haven't crowed yet, they are just much larger than the girls are. That's why I was wondering if he is "the man" now.

For now, maybe. Wait and see what the others grow into. Things will likely change in your chicken yard with that many males.​
 
Well, they were ordered SR from McMurray and I just haven't made the decision to get rid of them yet. Other than Rascal, no one else is showing signs of being aggressive or roo like traits other than crowing.

I know things will change, like you said elderoo. Just waiting to see....
 
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The answer to this in my experience is that he is doing what he wants & has nothing to do with her being about to lay. Last year I had a standard cockerel mating a bantam pullet that was no where near the point of lay. He got humanly culled for his efforts.....
 
I just saw one of my ***6 WEEK OLD*** Toms trying to "get it on" with one of the 6 wo hen turkeys!!! It was pretty cool-- he "turkeyed up" and struted his stuff, and she squatted for him--I couldn't believe it though!
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