Newbie delux! Mating?

[Chickenberry]

Before I start, let me reiderate again that I'm a noob!

Everything I've learned about chickens, I've learned here... and it's been quite a lot already thanks to you all!

Now, having said that....

How do chickens mate? *crickets*

Yes, I did... I asked the question...

Last night as we were letting our chickens free range in the backyard with our new roo we saw him try to mate (successfully?) one of the hens. She sort of squatted, he got on her back and maybe grabbed some of her feathers in his beak, there were tails going everywhere and some "dancing." I'm assuming they were mating.

But, the real question is... how? How does it work? How does the roo accomplish putting sperm into the hen? Again.. sorry if too graphic.

 

[KellyHM]

Chickens share a "cloacal kiss" in which both of their cloacas (common whole where everything comes out) touch each other and the sperm is transferred to the hen at this time. There is no penetration like there is in other animals. Hope this helps.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
What Kelly said (and glad it wasn't me that had to say it

). Chicken matings take literally FIVE seconds. It's a wham, bam, thank ya ma'am kinda thing.

 

[KellyHM]

Quote:
What Kelly said (and glad it wasn't me that had to say it

). Chicken matings take literally FIVE seconds. It's a wham, bam, thank ya ma'am kinda thing.

 

[Chickenberry]

Yes! This helps a lot... thank you Kelly~ and Grit too!

 

[CranberryCreekFarm]

I have one that is very gentle but quick, then I have a roo that likes to take his time, while he takes a mouthful of feathers

I always look away haha

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Yup. You blink and you miss it.

Hens can store rooster juice for up to 4 weeks also.

 

[bakerjw]

As a side note. I do not allow my roosters to mount a hen in my presence. It reinforces my alpha role.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
I do the same. And I walk through him, not around him. He yields to me.

 

[CranberryCreekFarm]

Quote:
I do the same. And I walk through him, not around him. He yields to me.

I dont mess with mating, but I also will "scootch" my roosters with my foot, if they are in the way, and will pick them up so they know I'm the mama