peking order/fertilizing egg questions

[tomcatvmp]

couple of questions, I have an old English cockerel he is a lot smaller than my hens will he find a way to fertilize eggs? i've noticed him attempt to mount the bigger hens. my other question is can a large hen for eg a light sussex be above my cockerel in the pecking order? she takes no **** off him and has even attacked the cockerel to protect me.
thanks

 

[Ravynscroft]

Yes and yes... short answer, lol...
Most times a bantam roo can fertilize large fowl hens once he figures it out... some never seem to though... just crack some eggs and look for the fertilized 'bullseye' in the yolk and you'll know for sure...
And as for the hen being above the cockerel, yes that happens more often than many realize... first, you said cockerel so I assume he is young... until he matures fully and proves he deserves the top spot, she will keep the top spot... being smaller puts him at a disadvantage as well... as long as she can push him around she will keep doing so...

 

[tomcatvmp]

thanks that's great.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Very welcome! Good luck!