roos that are lousy at breeding

[onthespot]

How much time do you give to a rooster to figure out "the deed"? I have one roo that ought to be better at this by now. A lot of the time he pins the hens, only sets one foot on her back and shakes his tail over the ground, sometimes only half heartedly at that. I put him alone with a few hens to check fertility, and it was very low, but got a bit better later. Would you just eat him and be done with it, or give him more time? It is my most correct Copper Black Marans roo. I think I need to buy him a copy of "Treading for Dummies" but have not seen it anywhere. Anyone who has a copy they are not using and would like to part with, PM me!

 

[seriousbill]

Nice bird. How old is he? I've had Delaware cockerels who were awkward until 7 months. They usually have it at pretty well that point.

 

[onthespot]

He is just over eight months old. I am glad to hear yours was awkward for a while. I do NOT want to miss out on the genetics here, as he hatched from a very dark egg, and was a huge, healthy chick, just everything you could want in a roo, except awkward at treading and not very nice to the ladies. He is not mean, per se, but doesn't do much in the way of showing them food, protecting them, all that. I will be very happy to give him more time, and hens to practice on if it will give me good looking, good treading roo months from now. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[Mahonri]

That's a big boy.

Looks delicious.

 

[Crazy_For_Chickens]

I would probibly wait through winter and see if he will do "the deed" in the middle of spring. I have heard that some roosters will ONLY do it in the middle of spring.



Good Luck!

 

[@migocontodos~]

Try seperating him from the ladies...absence makes the heart grow fonder!

 

[Texas ChickenZ]

@migocontodos~ :

Try seperating him from the ladies...absence makes the heart grow fonder!

I couldn't agree more!​

 

[Texas ChickenZ]

Quote:
I couldn't resist this but, "Glad I'm not a rooster!"

 

[gritsar]

One of my roosters was very clumsey with it for the longest time. I'm guessing that out of every 20 attempts he managed to complete the act without falling on his face one time.
He's 8 months old now and getting better. Both of my boys have cut way back on their mating since it got cold here. I pity my poor hens come spring.

 

[onthespot]

Well hey, I guess I was putting too much pressure on him, cuz as soon as I decided to ignore how clumsy he was, I saw him tread a hen and it looked 100% normal this morning. I will make a point of not watching him for a while and hope for the best.