The Stealth Rooster

[jugchoke]

He was only days old on either the first of February or the first of March. Some roosters in his group matured and were breeding hens for some months now. At least early August or late July. This guy only started two, possibly three weeks ago.

Hey guys, I am only reporting my observations. First I thought rooster, then hen and now am completely confused!

The most interesting observation is when Shorty, the Banty takes off to break up a copulation and then just “melts” when he get there. While this bird just saunters off like he was going for a smoke. Relaxed, not a care in the world. Every other rooster that has been confronted by Shorty would be running fo his life at that point!

 

[aart]

Hey guys, I am only reporting my observations. First I thought rooster, then hen and now am completely confused!

Most of us here strive to know 'why'...and most posters want to know.
Sounds like this bird has some mixed up hormones.
Odd to have a female feathered bird with enough testosterone to mate.
Is 'he' actually 'touching vents' with the females he is mounting?

 

[Kris5902]

Yes, @jugchoke ... now we will also need you to post lots of pictures, some videos, separate the flock and maybe even fire up the incubator and start trying to hatch “her” hens eggs! (Just kidding @aart!) We are a curious bunch though, especially when it comes to chicken behaviors and sexuality! I wonder if your stealth Rooster might behave more masculine without Shorty’s presence?

In my cockerel pen (as I was breeding up more pullets for my boy keepers from my first hatch) I had one boy who was clearly the bottom. The other two roosters would tidbit for and mate him, and he was far more hen like in behavior. As soon as I put him in with some almost mature pullets his attitude changed. He was mounting them within moments of being introduced.

Personally, I like having lots of Roosters around (as long as they aren’t fighting each other), just in case something happens to one of them. They don’t eat much feed, and I think they bring a good dynamic to the flock. Granted I’m also keeping multiple flocks and haven’t tried having more than one Rooster in with hens at once. I suppose it depends on the guys and how many hens and how much space you’ve got!