Puberty/Mating Management?

[AmyJane725]

Hey guys,

Went out to visit my babies today, and Winston, my silver spangled hamburg cockerel made it pretty clear that he's growing up fast. He mated my self-blue cochin bantam Gusty (who everyone on here still insists is a cockerel) less than a foot away from me. He wasn't horrible to her or anything. There was no dance. He kinda just came up to her, grabbed her by the neck and squatted on her (however you describe what chickens do with their torsos when they mate?) It only took a second and he got off and didn't bother her again, but after he got up she just sat there kind of stunned. Her wings were out to the sides a bit and she really did look like a deer in the headlights. I picked her up and checked her for damage. None that I could see, and after being held for a minute she was alright. Got down and resumed normal chicken behavior.

Is it normal for pullets to be stunned after getting mated? Do they "get used to it/enjoy it" eventually (as long as the rooster isn't a jerk)?

This is the first time I've seen it happen, but he's probably done it while I wasn't out there.

Anyway, I've read that cockerels/roosters can be pretty bad/crazy their first two years, but they calm down after that. What do you do with them in the meantime? I know people talk about keeping them separated, but I can't imagine they mean to keep them apart for two whole years. How long does roo jail usually last? (I'm not planning on putting Winston in jail. I don't think he did anything to warrant that, I'm just trying to be prepared in case he, or one of the others, does get bad). I've heard they're extra bad in the spring. Do people mean to just keep them separated during springtime?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Folly's place]

Cockerels need time to learn courting behavior, and pullets mature a bit later, so it can be interesting for a while. No injuries is good, and just watch the show!
In a flock including mature roosters and hens, the youngsters learn by observation, and the cockerels get to eat 'humble pie' from both adult rooster and hens.
As long as nobody is injured, and the pullets aren't being harassed by too many cockerels, it should be fine. Do watch cockerel behavior, and eliminate any that threaten humans, or are too rough with their flockmates.
Mary

 

[AmyJane725]

Cockerels need time to learn courting behavior, and pullets mature a bit later, so it can be interesting for a while. No injuries is good, and just watch the show!
In a flock including mature roosters and hens, the youngsters learn by observation, and the cockerels get to eat 'humble pie' from both adult rooster and hens.
As long as nobody is injured, and the pullets aren't being harassed by too many cockerels, it should be fine. Do watch cockerel behavior, and eliminate any that threaten humans, or are too rough with their flockmates.
Mary

So is the stunned look kinda normal at first then, until they hit sexual maturity and know what's going on?

I don't have any adults for these to learn from. They're pretty much on their own. I hope they develop manners.

I'm rehoming some cockerels on Tuesday who are being mean to their flockmates, and the all but one of the remaining ones are afraid of people (for no reason. Never been mistreated a day in their lives) and the last one is my friendliest chicken of all. I'm more worried about flockmate interactions than them being mean to me. I can hold my own against a rooster. I'm sad, because one of the ones I'm rehoming is friendly with me, but he has started being nasty to the girls so he has to go

 

[chickendreams24]

It depends on the individual cockeral and the breed. Some are more prone to being rough on hens.

Some mature more quickly than others.

We've had some English Orpington cockerals/roosters not mature until a year old. Sometimes sooner sometimes later.

Many of them we never have to separate. Especially in a flock where there are mature roosters or hens.

For those we do have to separate is usually only if there are multiples. Usually around between 4-8 months they sometimes need to be separated for some reeducation. And then sometimes their first spring they can need it as well.

This gives the girls a break and if they are on the young get side it allows them to physically mature which makes them more likely to be interested in being bred and the cockeral will be less likely to force himself on them. A good cockeral will release a pullet that squeals sometimes it take a while for them to learn this. However some cockerals and particularly in a group can become frustrated and aggressive with uncooperative pullets/hens. Flogging them and breeding them repeatedly and forcefully over and over.

Hope this helps.

 

[AmyJane725]

It depends on the individual cockeral and the breed. Some are more prone to being rough on hens.

Some mature more quickly than others.

We've had some English Orpington cockerals/roosters not mature until a year old. Sometimes sooner sometimes later.

Many of them we never have to separate. Especially in a flock where there are mature roosters or hens.

For those we do have to separate is usually only if there are multiples. Usually around between 4-8 months they sometimes need to be separated for some reeducation. And then sometimes their first spring they can need it as well.

This gives the girls a break and if they are on the young get side it allows them to physically mature which makes them more likely to be interested in being bred and the cockeral will be less likely to force himself on them. A good cockeral will release a pullet that squeals sometimes it take a while for them to learn this. However some cockerals and particularly in a group can become frustrated and aggressive with uncooperative pullets/hens. Flogging them and breeding them repeatedly and forcefully over and over.

Hope this helps.

How long do you keep them separated when "Reeducation" is in order?

And will they learn not to mate screeching hens if you pull them off if you're around when it happens? Or would it have to be every single time for them to make the connection? Or can we not really influence their behavior like that anyway?

 

[Beccazon]

As far as learning "no" by removing them from the pullet...no. They do what they want. I have one who is horrible and this weekend will meet his end. Hormonally he has zero decency or control, as is natural for many.

Perhaps your boy targets the bantie as she is small and easily overpowered. And as you said, likely has done so while you are away so he may over-mate her or hurt her by this repeated mating. (My opinions from reading other threads as I am new to this also).

Do you have other bantams? Can the bantams be housed away from the full-size flock?

I have my "keeper" cockerel separated now due to this behavior before he learns poor havits as I too have no mature roos or hens to serve humble pie lol. I am learning as I go so my info is NOT scholarly! Just what I have learned thus far and hoping to learn more from your post!

 

[Shadrach]

Hey guys,

Went out to visit my babies today, and Winston, my silver spangled hamburg cockerel made it pretty clear that he's growing up fast. He mated my self-blue cochin bantam Gusty (who everyone on here still insists is a cockerel) less than a foot away from me. He wasn't horrible to her or anything. There was no dance. He kinda just came up to her, grabbed her by the neck and squatted on her (however you describe what chickens do with their torsos when they mate?) It only took a second and he got off and didn't bother her again, but after he got up she just sat there kind of stunned. Her wings were out to the sides a bit and she really did look like a deer in the headlights. I picked her up and checked her for damage. None that I could see, and after being held for a minute she was alright. Got down and resumed normal chicken behavior.

Is it normal for pullets to be stunned after getting mated? Do they "get used to it/enjoy it" eventually (as long as the rooster isn't a jerk)?

This is the first time I've seen it happen, but he's probably done it while I wasn't out there.

Anyway, I've read that cockerels/roosters can be pretty bad/crazy their first two years, but they calm down after that. What do you do with them in the meantime? I know people talk about keeping them separated, but I can't imagine they mean to keep them apart for two whole years. How long does roo jail usually last? (I'm not planning on putting Winston in jail. I don't think he did anything to warrant that, I'm just trying to be prepared in case he, or one of the others, does get bad). I've heard they're extra bad in the spring. Do people mean to just keep them separated during springtime?

Thanks for any advice.

Yes it's normal. Mating for both sexes can produce some odd behavior.
Cockerels tend to grab less and ask more as they mature and the pullets realize that the job is done and the can resume normal activity more quickly.
In stable flocks by the time a cockerel has grown into a rooster the body bump becomes the standard way of asking. They'll walk up behind the hen and nudge her with their chest. If the hen crouches they mate.
As the pullets get older they choose which rooster they want to mate with assuming there is a choice. An insistent cockerel who just makes for the neck grab poses a problem for the hen. She can pull away and fight the cockerel off or she can crouch and get it over with. She has the option of aborting the cockerels sperm if necessary. So, the hen has to make a choice whether to fight off unwanted attention which may result i injury and in some cases repeated harassment from the cockerel, or crouch and remain that way until the cockerel goes away.

 

[aart]

Dominance/Submission and mating can look the same.
One is about pecking order, the other is for reproduction.
D/S might leave the female(or another male) down and still until he goes away.
Successful mating, when they complete the 'cloacal kiss', will have the female up and shaking her body afterwards to move sperm to storage.

You don't mention the ages(in weeks) of these birds.
Males will start dominating and trying to mate at about 3-4 months,
females are unable to accept mating until they are laying or close to it.

 

[Folly's place]

Note to AmyJane: that 'friendly' cockerel is likely 'bold' and sizing you up! I prefer the boys who respect my space and move away as I walk through the flock, to any who want to be right there. See how things develop, and do keep one of the 'fearful' ones too, because that's more likely respect.
This is not about being a flock member, or part of the pecking order in any way! This is about being one of the giants who brings food, and respectful avoidance is a good thing. Cockerels should start thinking about their job in life, which is to look out for danger (not you!), treat the ladies, breeding, and be flock leaders.
Mary

 

[Beccazon]

I was goin

Note to AmyJane: that 'friendly' cockerel is likely 'bold' and sizing you up! I prefer the boys who respect my space and move away as I walk through the flock, to any who want to be right there. See how things develop, and do keep one of the 'fearful' ones too, because that's more likely respect.
This is not about being a flock member, or part of the pecking order in any way! This is about being one of the giants who brings food, and respectful avoidance is a good thing. Cockerels should start thinking about their job in life, which is to look out for danger (not you!), treat the ladies, breeding, and be flock leaders.
Mary

I was going to add the same. I've been told that the skittish are safer for humans. They should technically fear you...see you as dominant. Friendly can be just that, depending on several factors including how he was raised and environment and breed. Just like there is always a bad seed there is always a good one. But more likely than not, he will catch you off guard and is gaining authority over you...quietly. Lil passive agressive turds!