Rooster not doing his job

[dracoe19]

At the moment I have a pair of standard partridge cochins in a breeding pen. They have been in there for around 2 months now and surprisingly the hen has given me lots of eggs unlike my slacker wyandottes who stopped during the heat and all went broody. Lots of eggs and NONE are fertile. I have never had a problem with fertility with any other chickens I have owned. This rooster will not mate with this hen! He protects her and is sweet to her but I have never seen him jump her or ever flirt with her. I have spied on them and saw nothing either. I know some roosters are shy and sneaky and do it when you aren't looking but I swear he isn't mating with her. He was the bottom rooster in the flock but still every so often got some action and he flirted a lot. I have gotten mixed batches of chicks where he has been the father. Once I put him with her nothing.... The only good thing is her feathers are perfect. Is there something I could do to encourage him or am I just plain out of luck and got a "brother sister relationship" pair of cochins? I'm pretty sure there is not much I can do but just thought I would ask.

Here's a picture of the slacker...

 

[Ridgerunner]

People always blame the rooster! I guess this is to be expected with a female dominated forum.

In all seriousness, with thick-feathered chickens like cochin, it is possible the rooster can't hit the target because of the feathers. You might try trimming the feathers around both of their vents to see if this is your problem. Just take some scissors and clip the feathers back. If you leave the shaft, the feathers will not grow back until the next molt. If you pluck them, the feathers should grow back before the next molt.

It obviously does not happen with each and every cochin, orpington, or whatever, but it has been known to happen.

 

[7 Biddies]

Maybe he likes cooler weather and doesn't want to get any hotter right now. Or, maybe she's told him she has to have a ring first.