Preferential Mating Behavior

[New Flockman]

Our Australorp roo, Max, prefers mating with our only Australorp hen, Olive, over the three other hens... all Buff Orpingtons. All the hens are the same age, about nine months, and two are laying. He's mated at least three of the four that we know of but will jump Olive five times for every time he goes for one of the others. Is it unusual for a roo to show a preference? Is he drawn more to his own breed? Or???

This is our first roo, and we like him a lot. He's very well behaved, courtly has a nice, well-timed morning crow. He's very protective of the hens and loves to find and deliver morsels of food to his flock

 

[donrae]

It's not unusual at all. Lots of roos develop favorites and it usually has nothing to do with breed. With that few hens, and him showing strong preference for one, you'll have to keep a close eye on her to be sure she's not getting overmated. I had a roo who turned into a stalker---they were free range and I had 17 hens but he stalked 2 buff orps and made their lives really bad. So........some lovin' is good, but make sure it's not too much of a good thing!

 

[New Flockman]

Fortunately, he's not too much of a horn-dog but where he will mate with Olive once or twice every day, he won't pursue the others for several days at a time. It's not excessive at this time but we are being observant. Thanks.