My Rooster SAT on My Hen

[mimipeaches]

If this was just mating behavior the rooster would grab the back of the hens neck and it would all be over very quickly.
I stand by the post I made earlier, he's encouraging her to nest and lay.

I was confused because he didn't grab her head but when they encourage a hen to lay they don't normally sit on them do they?? I have found both the mating and the helping to lay posts are both 50% accurate as to what happened! I am still a little lost if someone else knows I would like to see if others agree with mating or helping to lay either way I am fine with but I would like to learn as much about my chicken behavior as I can so I don't get scared like that again!!!

 

[mimipeaches]

Or maybe just taking her out for their first date...and only holding hands. After all Mom is watching!

I like this version a lot I think that it is cute!! I have a rooster that will sit with one of my hens on the set of stairs that are in our coop and I like to think that they are on a date!

 

[Shadrach]

I was confused because he didn't grab her head but when they encourage a hen to lay they don't normally sit on them do they?? I have found both the mating and the helping to lay posts are both 50% accurate as to what happened! I am still a little lost if someone else knows I would like to see if others agree with mating or helping to lay either way I am fine with but I would like to learn as much about my chicken behavior as I can so I don't get scared like that again!!!

They do sit on top of the hen, particularly at a new nest site. Given your hen isn't laying yet, she won't have an established nest site. All the roosters here will sit on top of their hens when they lay at insecure sites or often new sites. I did provide a link which had a picture of a rooster standing over a hen. I have many more pictures of roosters siting on hens but it's a bit difficult to see exactly what's going on because they're in long grass, or under bushes. It's what a good rooster is supposed to do. Many people who study their flock and particularly those who free range will tell you the same. This behavior has been passed down through generations from the jungle fowl and despite what some will say about the domestication of chickens erasing such behavior it has been proven over and over to be wrong.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Sometimes they just lay together when they are relaxing, either in a group or possibly a couple. It can be just hens, the rooster may join in. I've seen that in their dust bath area. I really think you are worrying about nothing. Just enjoy their quirkiness. Chicken TV can be better than anything on cable, satellite, or cable.

 

[mimipeaches]

They do sit on top of the hen, particularly at a new nest site. Given your hen isn't laying yet, she won't have an established nest site. All the roosters here will sit on top of their hens when they lay at insecure sites or often new sites. I did provide a link which had a picture of a rooster standing over a hen. I have many more pictures of roosters siting on hens but it's a bit difficult to see exactly what's going on because they're in long grass, or under bushes. It's what a good rooster is supposed to do. Many people who study their flock and particularly those who free range will tell you the same. This behavior has been passed down through generations from the jungle fowl and despite what some will say about the domestication of chickens erasing such behavior it has been proven over and over to be wrong.

They do sit on top of the hen, particularly at a new nest site. Given your hen isn't laying yet, she won't have an established nest site. All the roosters here will sit on top of their hens when they lay at insecure sites or often new sites. I did provide a link which had a picture of a rooster standing over a hen. I have many more pictures of roosters siting on hens but it's a bit difficult to see exactly what's going on because they're in long grass, or under bushes. It's what a good rooster is supposed to do. Many people who study their flock and particularly those who free range will tell you the same. This behavior has been passed down through generations from the jungle fowl and despite what some will say about the domestication of chickens erasing such behavior it has been proven over and over to be wrong.

I didn't get your link but this seems very accurate I wish that I wouldn't have kicked him off!!! Darn it!!!

 

[mimipeaches]

Sometimes they just lay together when they are relaxing, either in a group or possibly a couple. It can be just hens, the rooster may join in. I've seen that in their dust bath area. I really think you are worrying about nothing. Just enjoy their quirkiness. Chicken TV can be better than anything on cable, satellite, or cable.

That might be true too!!! I do love a bit of chicken TV!

 

[Shadrach]

I didn't get your link but this seems very accurate I wish that I wouldn't have kicked him off!!! Darn it!!!

Oh.my apologies. I thought I had posted it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-not-about-the-egg-it’s-an-escort-call.74386/

 

[mimipeaches]

Oh.my apologies. I thought I had posted it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-egg-song-it’s-not-about-the-egg-it’s-an-escort-call.74386/

Thank you!!!

 

[mimipeaches]

Oh.my apologies. I thought I had posted it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-egg-song-it’s-not-about-the-egg-it’s-an-escort-call.74386/

Can you try to send the ones with him sitting on her even though I may not be able to see very well because my rooster was sitting on her not standing by her!! If you can't that is ok but I would appreciate it if you could!!! Thank you!!!

 

[Chickassan]

Iv'e seen this shortly before a pullet lays. It isn't exactly mating it is more of a full body flop. I don't know the reason behind it, maybe a way of getting her use to the idea of him being on her or it is just a comfort/safety thing.
It never looks uncomfortable, iv'e seen some head preening and comb mouthing heard some nice purring sounds.