Mating

[katjames11]

Hi everyone, I have a 9 month old aracanna, I need some advice.. now I got two bantams (being told they are very broodie ) I have had for about a month,neither one of them is laying but my rooster targets one of the bantams and mates with her up to 10 times in a few short minutes he wont leave her alone so I lock her in the coup & him out in the yard, other than the 2 bantams I have 7 hens.. he does his dance with one of the light sussex every chance he gets but she wont let him touch her, I didnt think a rooster would mate with a hen not laying..He mates with the other hens but with her its like a marathon..

 

[Whittni]

Roosters often have a "favorite hen" that he considers his main partner. That hen is usually the most ruffed up. Roosters will mate nonlaying hens, which can stress those hens out. You did the right thing by separating your pullet into the coop away from the rooster. As long as she's alright and not having flesh ripped they should be o.k.

 

[katjames11]

Thank you for that, the bantam is supposedly point of lay yet so far no eggs,it might be due to being stressed, I let her out yesterday & everytime Bob went for her she took refuge so he couldnt get at her..she doesnt appear to have any injuries so far..