Uh Oh!

[Bawkadoodledoo]

murder attempt? bullying? mating?

Today, my White Leghorn, Bertha was violently grabbed on the head by a Black Minorca Roo, she proceeded to sound like she was being butterknife murdered as the roo stood on top of her with his muddy feet. HELP. I think she's gonna get serious head injuries!! I think the thing that would have happened next was..

 

[MissPrissy]

That is part of the mating process of a rooster. There are saddles for their backs where their feathers get pulled out by the feet and spurs. I am sure you can fashion something for headgear if the head is getting injured.

Some roos have a fav hen and are relentless when it comes to rough mating.

 

[Bawkadoodledoo]

If they are starting to mate, does this mean eggs are near?

 

[MissPrissy]

How old are they? Some breeds are ready to lay small eggs at 18 - 24 weeks. However, this is not a rule and some take much longer to mature. This year many people are reporting much later dates for first time layers.

One more thing - a randy rooster in no way indicates the readiness of a hen/pullet to lay

 

[rooster-red]

It means the rooster is maturing, if the pullets are the same age eggs are probably not real far behind.

 

[hatchcrazzzy]

you should be getting fertile eggs soon. but you cant set them until they get much bigger.in about 2 months

 

[speckledhen]

My Ameraucana cockerel was mating his Speckled Sussex girl when they were 9 weeks old! I mean, he was doing a good imitation of it, anyway. Obviously, eggs were a looong way off, LOL.

 

[Bawkadoodledoo]

they were all hatched at most 24 hours apart, give or take 24 hours.

if this is true, then he's got a big harem..

 

[MissPrissy]

How many weeks old are they now?

 

[silkiechicken]

Quote:
Hahaha, you have young maturing birds don't you! Crowing at 5 weeks, mating at 9!

If they are all the same age, eggs shouldn't be too far behind now.