Rooster won't leave hen who is laying for first time

[JustJ]

I have 1 hen, 2 pullets, and one little bantam roo. The roo has always buddied with the little bantam hen, but now one of my pullets seems to be ready to start laying. He will not leave her side. She has found a good nesting spot and I believe she is attempting to lay her first egg, but he is right there lying next to her and won't leave. Will this keep her from laying? He has never done this with the older hen.

 

[Firework]

All of my birds won't lay when a chicken is standidng next to them.

 

[cafarmgirl]

I don't know, one of my barred rocks just laid her first egg yesterday and my roo has been very, very attentive to her. Showing her where to nest, clucking to her etc. Not being aggressive mind you, just attentive. She laid her second egg today.

I would just watch him and see how he behaves. If he is just overwhelming her I guess you'd have to move him out but if he's just being attentive to her I'd leave them alone. He may relax as this becomes a common, every day occurance!

 

[JustJ]

Thanks everyone! Guess what, she did lay her first egg with him right next to her. Yay! I think he was just being attentive like cafarmgirl's roo. He was doing the same thing - clucking to her, leading her into the right area, etc. Will be interesting to see what happens when the 3rd one starts laying. Thanks again.

 

[helkat]

How cute.

 

[Firework]