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!

 

[Perris]

I believe he’s only mating of few hens and honestly not mating often... I haven’t seen it in more than a month. Do roosters slow down with the seasons since it’s less ideal weather for raising chicks?

The seasons and the moult can both have an impact. Males lose fertility during moult just as females do, so less or no mating is the equivalent of stopping laying. So you should expect less action from a moulting male. And as moulting females don't want to be touched, they're not going to be encouraging it either.

Their response to the season will vary with how in tune they are with their instincts. Wild birds don't mate in winter; April and May is the common time for garden birds in the northern hemisphere, so there will be plenty of insects around to feed the young.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

The seasons and the moult can both have an impact.

So if I got my cockerel in early winter regardless of his age he would be less inclined to mate? Does the fact that I threw him in with over a dozen older females contribute as well? My last rooster I got in early fall I think and he introduced himself by mating every hen he could catch

 

[Perris]

So if I got my cockerel in early winter regardless of his age he would be less inclined to mate?

that's my experience. You can tell when they are ready to go again when you see red stripes on the shanks (as well as bright red comb and wattles of course).

Does the fact that I threw him in with over a dozen older females contribute as well?

Perhaps; depends on the personalities of all involved.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

So if I got my cockerel in early winter regardless of his age he would be less inclined to mate? Does the fact that I threw him in with over a dozen older females contribute as well? My last rooster I got in early fall I think and he introduced himself by mating every hen he could catch

Maybe they are all engaged in etiquette lessons for now!