What is he doing?

[katjames11]

Hi there, I wanted to know about mating habits as I have an Araucana rooster (so I'm told) and he was afraid of my 3 hens became the biggest sook ( sulky and whinny) every time the girls came near him, now yesterday I bought a sussex (she is about 12months old he is about 6/7 months) as soon as I introduced her the girls attacked her and he (Bob) kept in her face following her everywhere and peaking at her face (gently) now what I want to know is "what is he doing" ? and is he almost ready to mate? Thanks Kat from Down Under.

 

[my sunwolf]

He may be ready to mate at 6 months, but if the girls are older than him they can bully him for a good while longer. When he is ready to take charge, he will, just give him some time.

Your rooster's reaction to the new hen is just him trying to maintain order in the flock, as a good rooster should do. Introducing new chickens is always a hassle and stressful for the whole flock as chickens love routine and hate new chickens because they see them as intruders. So your other girls are also letting the new girl know her place. It can takes months for chickens to adjust to new flock members.

Good luck, your rooster is beautiful by the way

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Is your rooster the little blue bird in the picture? Do you know how old he is, he looks like he is still pretty young. A lot of roosters will start trying to mate around four months, some sooner, some later. You might want to post in the Managing Your Flock forum about dealing with roosters. https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/2/managing-your-flock

 

[drumstick diva]

I think he will do just fine, he is out numbered and young- give him a chance to mature a bit and I think you will be surprised at the outcome.

 

[TwoCrows]

I agree with the above posters. Give him time to mature yet. Hens can reject or completely ignore young roosters. However if it ever turns bloody, you will want to separate him out for a while and then reintroduce him later.

Good luck with your flock and welcome to BYC

 

[CarolinaHen]

He's young. Imagine a group of 20-25 year old females and a young 19 year old walks into the crowd trying to show them how handsome he is.

It may take them more time to appreciate him and all he has to offer.

 

[katjames11]

Thanks Heartmoss Farm,I am grateful for your input, I love gathering all the info, its amazing how addicted I am to these chickens & rooster.The girls were on the attack with him every chance they got when I fisrt got him but its been 3 weeks now & they dont seem to mind him now, I go down the back & sit in the coop with them & found I notice their different personalities and which one loves this food and the so on, I love it..I think my husband thinks Ive lost the plot ha ha.

 

[katjames11]

Yes Kelsie 2290 thats my boy, he is an Araucana & he is about 6/7 months old.

 

[enola]

Where did you get your rooster from?

 

[katjames11]

Thank you Desert Dweller, on day two I took Bob out of the coop and placed him in the chicken cage away from the moody girls then put one of the girls in with him, I'd leave them in there for at least two days then swap with one of the other girls & now they are accepting of him, he is smitten with the new girl(Sussex) and is at her side all day. Im told once he does mate that the eggs will come out blue, Im excited to see that, all so new to me..