Rooster not breeding hens

[stcharleschick]

I have an Ameraucana Rooster that is 8 months old (oops). It is still a bit cold but warming up here in Missouri. I have never had a rooster before but I don't see any breeding behavior with him.He is pretty docile and the top hen does push him around. I have 4 hens. I check the eggs and I never see the "target" on the yolks that I read indicates a fertile egg. None of the hens are broody yet. I have a lovely Buff Orpington so hope she ends up going broody.
But I guess my question is when do Roosters start to breed the hens? Does weather have anything to do with it or age? I would like to have some babies hatch.
Any suggestions??

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

How old are your hens? Were they raised together or was he just added?

He has to establish his place in the pecking order and win over the ladies.

Yes weather does play a role in fertility, in particular daylight hours. He may be a little behind due to maturing during winter. But he should quickly perk up. Also, some birds just mature slow. They are most randy first thing in the morning and right before roost. It is possible you are missing the activity. But his hormones will be kicking in a filling his brain with all kind of raging idiot thoughts soon enough. If your hens already in check and taught him some manners, that's a bonus in my book. I never allow hatching from birds under 1 year old or a broody to sit before that age as their bodies and minds are still maturing.

Chances are he will breed your most docile gal to start. He can't mate with hens who won't allow him.

Pics always welcome.

 

[chickens really]

He is only 8 months so depending on his development he probably isn't ready yet. Cockerels take time sometimes to win over the ladies..

 

[aart]

Winter never slowed my boys down much, and they all were 'active' from 4-6 months.

How old are your girls?
Are they all fluffy butts like the Orp?
Sometimes copious butt fluff deters the cloacal contact that's needed for sperm transfer.
Seeing them mate can be hard to catch, it's pretty fast.

FYI.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks or months is always a good thing to note.

 

[stcharleschick]

wow all good information!! My boss hen is 3 and then one is two and two pullets 9 months old. He seems to be in the middle of the pack right now. So I will relax and just wait to see if anything happens. At least he is docile and pleasant to be around.

Thanks to all for the helpful replies!

 

[Ryder]

wow all good information!! My boss hen is 3 and then one is two and two pullets 9 months old. He seems to be in the middle of the pack right now. So I will relax and just wait to see if anything happens. At least he is docile and pleasant to be around.

Thanks to all for the helpful replies!

I live in Missouri Too!!! where did you get your rooster at because I got a ameraucan rooster from estes and he took for ever to mature. Estes does not have the best quality. ALWAYS GET ROOSTES

 

[Chicksnmind]

I have a EE who has never had fertilized eggs. Silkie roo is a little over a year and is the same size as EE. All other hens have fertile eggs. I did see my 5 month old young cockerel try to approach her and she let him know she wasn’t having any of that.

I think some girls just rule the roost and don’t let the boys bother them.