Rooster Managing Hens But Not Mating Them?

[2ndTink]

I have to assume this is a joke is this something that people actually do? CAN do?

I had no idea until a few months ago when some videos started popping up on facebook

 

[2ndTink]

It gives a whole new meaning to “poultry baster”!

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[FrostRanger]

I have to assume this is a joke is this something that people actually do? CAN do?

It is very much real and evidently not hard to do. I don't imagine it's used that often though as it's easy enough to just have a rooster in with the flock and he'll take care of things much faster than it would be to use ai on every hen in the flock

 

[2ndTink]

I can see it being useful if you were showing some hens but also wanted some eggs from them to hatch. You could AI and avoid any feather damage.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Do roosters slow down with the seasons since it’s less ideal weather for raising chicks? Do some roosters just have a more relaxed approach, even when they should be in the thick of crazy hormones? Is it likely to increase as he ages?

With any of these the answer could possibly be yes. Him being a cockerel could have an affect. If the girls are not laying they probably have pale combs and wattles instead of bright red. Bright red is a sexual stimulant so if their combs and wattles are pink or yellow they are less attractive to him.

Each chicken has its own personality, male or female. Each flock has its own dynamics, how the individuals interact based on those individual personalities. While some interactions are more likely than others that doesn't mean you won't see about anything.

Some roosters have no problems keeping 25 or more hens fertile. Some roosters have problems keeping 3 or 4 hens fertile. I don't know what will happen with yours in the future.

I remember one thread from years ago between breeders. True breeders that often wait until the chickens are 2 or 3 years old before they even consider mating them so they can see how they are going to turn out. They were discussing how some roosters seem to go infertile in the fall/winter so they had problems hatching eggs to get ready for show season. Others had no problems with that.

Are your hens laying? If they are you can crack some of the eggs and look for the bull's eye. This thread shows you what to look for. That might possibly help you relax. But even if eggs are not fertile now you still do not know when he grows up and the weather improves.

How to Tell a Fertile vs INfertile Egg (Pictures) | BackYard Chickens - Learn How to Raise Chickens

Good luck!

 

[hollandhens24]

Are your hens laying? If they are you can crack some of the eggs and look for the bull's eye.

I just started getting pullet eggs and these are the only ones laying. I have been looking for fertilization, but haven’t seen that perfect bullseye just yet!