Rooster Changed Where He Sleeps?

[Searsmom]

I'm puzzled and I think there's something I need to look for, but I'm not sure what. I've a BO rooster who has been sleeping on the top rung of the roost for 2 years now. Tonight, I went out and found him on top of the nest box with the 1-year old hens who hatched last year.

He's the only rooster in the flock. What is up with this behavior? There are still top dog hens on top roost, they actually fill the top rung. Have they bumped him off? This is just weird.

What would make the rooster hang out with the newbies?

 

[Beekissed]

I'm puzzled and I think there's something I need to look for, but I'm not sure what. I've a BO rooster who has been sleeping on the top rung of the roost for 2 years now. Tonight, I went out and found him on top of the nest box with the 1-year old hens who hatched last year.

He's the only rooster in the flock. What is up with this behavior? There are still top dog hens on top roost, they actually fill the top rung. Have they bumped him off? This is just weird.

What would make the rooster hang out with the newbies?

They are pretty much like men...they tend to favor the youngest, most fertile hens and your new pullets are those very kind.

I've seen this time and again...first he'll try to call them to roost next to him, but if they won't risk the ire of the older hens, he will just move to the younger girls.

Whatever hens are in lay and ready to mate, those are his favorite. If he has a choice between the older in lay birds and younger POL birds, he will choose the young girls more often. I think it's a built in instinct to preserve, protect, be close to, the birds that are more likely to have the best fertility/ability to produce offspring.

It's sad to see the old queens dethroned for awhile, but when laying slows down for winter or molt, the old gals get him back on the roost. When they all get older and they all have the same fecundity, more or less, he'll choose a few favorites out of the bunch and you can bet those will be your girls that are the best layers.

 

[Searsmom]

They are pretty much like men...they tend to favor the youngest, most fertile hens and your new pullets are those very kind.

I've seen this time and again...first he'll try to call them to roost next to him, but if they won't risk the ire of the older hens, he will just move to the younger girls.

Whatever hens are in lay and ready to mate, those are his favorite. If he has a choice between the older in lay birds and younger POL birds, he will choose the young girls more often. I think it's a built in instinct to preserve, protect, be close to, the birds that are more likely to have the best fertility/ability to produce offspring.

It's sad to see the old queens dethroned for awhile, but when laying slows down for winter or molt, the old gals get him back on the roost. When they all get older and they all have the same fecundity, more or less, he'll choose a few favorites out of the bunch and you can bet those will be your girls that are the best layers.

That's funny!!

I can handle that. I was expecting something dire....