Mating Dance

[CHICKENFARMER22]

Hello, today I let my 5 month old rooster out with my 2 3 month old chicks. He did the mating dance around them once. And he didn't do it again. Why didn't he mate them? Was it because they're too inexperienced and didn't squat for him? My rooster doesn't do the dance around my 1 1/2 year old hens so I'm kinda confused.

 

[junebuggena]

The young pullets are way too young for being mated. He could seriously hurt them if he tried to mount them. He doesn't mated with the older girls because he is young and they don't respect him as a flock leader yet.

 

[CHICKENFARMER22]

The young pullets are way too young for being mated. He could seriously hurt them if he tried to mount them. He doesn't mated with the older girls because he is young and they don't respect him as a flock leader yet.

When will be a good age for the young pullets to be mates and when will he start to mate the older hens?

 

[junebuggena]

The older girls might not let him mate until he is older, about 6 to 9 months old. The pullets won't be ready until about 5 months old, or once they start laying.

 

[CHICKENFARMER22]

The older girls might not let him mate until he is older, about 6 to 9 months old. The pullets won't be ready until about 5 months old, or once they start laying.

Okay thanks a bunch

 

[centrarchid]

It is also a display of aggression. Submission causes him to stop.

 

[CHICKENFARMER22]

It is also a display of aggression. Submission causes him to stop.

Why is he showing aggression and what do you mean by submission?

 

[centrarchid]

Why is he showing aggression and what do you mean by submission?

is a

The "mating dance" is a male behavior often referred to as "cutting a wing". It is done by excited high ranking males towards strangers and subordinates. Three outcomes can result. Bird displayed to can submit to copulation, bird can cut back behind displayer and hold feathers clamped (submission) which can be done by either sex, or bird can fight the displayer. Rooster doing the displaying is trying to figure out motives / reproductive status of other bird. Such behavior is particular evident between birds that are not of the same social group / harem.

 

[CHICKENFARMER22]

is a

The "mating dance" is a male behavior often referred to as "cutting a wing". It is done by excited high ranking males towards strangers and subordinates. Three outcomes can result. Bird displayed to can submit to copulation, bird can cut back behind displayer and hold feathers clamped (submission) which can be done by either sex, or bird can fight the displayer. Rooster doing the displaying is trying to figure out motives / reproductive status of other bird. Such behavior is particular evident between birds that are not of the same social group / harem.

Oh okay. Thanks so much