Method of mounting a hen?

[Well Seasoned]

Our rooster is exploding with teenage male hormones at the moment. He will grab the hens neck and mount her, but he also grabs them as they walk by, without mounting, sometimes just holding their heads down. The girls aren't quiet about it, and it's painful I imagine. Is this normal?


We have one hen with a head injury that I thought was from a recent fox attack, but I inspected them all and didn't see anything (Unless their was an injury I missed and the others pecked her, she is in the hospital wing at the moment)
But now I'm thinking maybe the rooster did this? Is it common for a rooster to draw blood trying to mate with a hen?

Is clipping the beak advised?

Thanks

 

[halfpintlc]

I'm not sure about trimming his beak, but my guys are the same. They are constantly grabbing the girls, whether they mount or not. The girls tend to put them in their place. They do it to each other as well. I've never seen them draw blood, but watching them, I can see how easy it would happen. Actually, my roosters take more abuse than the girls, I think.

 

[sourland]

It takes most young roosters a while to perfect the mating maneuver especially if they are with their pullet 'sisters'. A flock of mature hens can generally educate a cockerel on proper behavior. Removing a cockerel from the flock until the hens are sexually mature (laying) cuts down on the chances of injury to them.

 

[Well Seasoned]

Good info. They aren't quite mature enough yet. I guess in a few more weeks he'll be wearing a gold chain with a few honey's under each wing.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Good info. They aren't quite mature enough yet. I guess in a few more weeks he'll be wearing a gold chain with a few honey's under each wing.

Do you mean like Rapid Roy that stock car boy that Jim Croce sang about?

If you can remember that Well Seasoned, then you are well seasoned.

 

[Zinjifrah]

Do you mean like Rapid Roy that stock car boy that Jim Croce sang about?

If you can remember that Well Seasoned, then you are well seasoned.

I can remember that...

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I can remember that...

Then you're well seasoned as well. Welcome to the club.

 

[Well Seasoned]

So another question regarding our rooster. 2 hens have hung out with him since they were all chicks. They still do, hang out on the coop floor with him overnight, instead of the roost. This is weird, no?

He's got a broiler gene in him. He grew fast, had some walking problems, likely from joint pain, but since switching over from starter feed to grower/ finisher, he's lost some weight and is getting around pretty well now, but still sleeps on the floor. I honestly don't know how he fits through the chicken door. I have to hand carry him up back into the coop at night, kinda ridiculous, but it's what I do. Should a make a shorter roost for him?