Overlapped Beak

[The Angry Hen]

Hello,


I have a rooster that I recently put four hens in with. He hasn't tried mating one yet (not that I know of).
He pecks their head every so often but walks away...
I know he likes them, because they'll clean his feathers and he's okay with that.

My roosters always grow and lose part of their beak (that's normal.)
I never realized: could that stop the mating process 'til it falls off?


I am hoping for baby chicks soon, but I'm not sure If my Dad wants them yet.
Either way, the hens have been with him for a week now but their not laying... For a new coop, is that normal?

Thanks!
-The Angry Hen

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have never had a rooster lose part of his beak. I guess I don't understand what you are seeing, so maybe a picture?

 

[The Angry Hen]

Well, here is my rooster (not the one I'm talking about though):






That part falls off.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They should wear the beak down. My older roosters beak grows like that so we catch and trim it every few months with a dog nail trimmer and a nail file to form it back to a point after.

 

[The Angry Hen]

Yes, that's an old picture though. I am sure it is bound to fall off soon! He's acting like it!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They can't eat well with the beak being overgrown like that. I would trim it as opposed to waiting for it to fall off, as that doesn't often happen.

 

[The Angry Hen]

Well, it has in my coop. He is extremely shy!!! I am trying to make friends with him not enemies. He eats left over pasta and is fine.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Than why are you asking for advice?

 

[The Angry Hen]

I am asking for advice because I wanted to make sure the reason why he is not mating four new hens is normal.
And why their not laying eggs at the moment.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Probably because everyone is new to each other. Stress halts laying, and not every rooster mates every hen until they determine their status and relationship. There's usually a period of introduction where they become familiar with each other. Usually it takes 1-3 weeks for everything to resume in a more normal fashion.