Rooster Habits

[enggass]

i have recently put a Rooster In with my 8 hens. Is it safe to assume he will mate with all of them? I know they can sometimes have favorites, but will he ‘spread the wealth’ so to speak? Thanks.

 

[RollTideChicken]

He will. Servicing 8 hens won't be a problem for him. You can verify fertility in about week.

 

[aart]

Only time will tell.
How old is he...and the girls?
How long has he been in there?
How did they all react upon meeting?

 

[Chickassan]

He might, but then again he might not.
He'll get some of them for sure, but there is always a chance a couple won't like him.
The hens really have the final word on if the magic happens or not, but physically he's capable of servicing eight no problem.

 

[SueT]

My older hens will not let the young rooster mate with them. Only those his age (1 yr) and the little bantam hen he saved from a hawk accept him.

 

[enggass]

Hens are just under 2 years and rooster is a year. He has been in with them for 6 days and all are getting along great. I have confirmed one egg as being fertile already.

 

[Ms.tiamaria]

My older hens will not let the young rooster mate with them. Only those his age (1 yr) and the little bantam hen he saved from a hawk accept him.

“Little bantam hen he saved from a hawk”. So sweet!!!

 

[Chickassan]

Is he their first rooster or is he a replacement?

Hens are just under 2 years and rooster is a year. He has been in with them for 6 days and all are getting along great. I have confirmed one egg as being fertile already.

 

[aart]

Hens are just under 2 years and rooster is a year. He has been in with them for 6 days and all are getting along great. I have confirmed one egg as being fertile already.

Sounds good. Have you spent any time observing them?

 

[enggass]

Is he their first rooster or is he a replacement?

First for them.