Rooster question?

[imogene08]

I think I have an intreasting question on my hands. Ok well I read somewhere that a roo will only breed hens that he finds are suitable. Someone put a big Tom turkey in with a tiny sebright and not once did he try to mount her. Hence the fact he didn't think she was suitable. So I have a big New Hampshire red with a flock of 13 hens. Out of those 13 is a small Golden laced Polish and her sister a Bantie mix. They are 5 months old and he doesn't take any interest in them doesn't even try to court them. Even though they are not of age and don't have the respect for him yet would he not see them as mate due to size?

 

[DavidKerk]

I have a large Silver Laced Wyandotte rooster and he mounts all of my hens (even my 20 ounce Old English Game). I have incubated eggs from hens that I've never seen him mount and they developed. I think he will eventually start to mount him. Many times, if a rooster sees you as above him in the pecking order, he will not mount hens when you're around. I hope this helps!

 

[donrae]

My roos find all the hens suitable. If they're female, and of the same species, and sexually mature, they're fair game. Animals don't see size or breed differences the way humans do.

 

[imogene08]

Ok just a question I'm just concerned he will hurt them if he try's.

 

[donrae]

It's quite possible he can injure them while trying to mate. You should examine the role of the rooster in your flock or your housing arrangements.

 

[imogene08]

What exactly do you mean?

 

[donrae]

I mean if you want to keep little hens, you rooster might have to go. Or if you want to keep the rooster, the little hens might have to go. Or you might need to build another pen to house either the little hens or the big rooster. Just waiting to see IF he hurts them is kind of irresponsible to the hens. You know there is a good possibility he will hurt them, so you need to make some decisions about your flock management.

 

[imogene08]

Well my hen or roo are most certainly not leaving that's for sure. Maybe I will build a Seprete cage but not at the moment.

 

[DavidKerk]

For the time being, you could probably just make sure there are hiding places for your little hens.

 

[imogene08]

Oh yes there are many hiding places. I believe once he tryed to mount he then she was merely 4 months old. Being how tiny she was she quickly squirmed though and ran. she is quite the feisty hen for being the smallest making sure no one try's to size her up.