why is my roo getting in the nesting box?

[Biddylover]

I've got a good established group, 2 roo's and 7 girls (two are quaranteened to get aquainted with everyone) and 3 more girls but they are inside and too young. Everyone outside is the same age around about, mostly close to 24 weeks. Well yesterday one of my red stars started laying ((( YAY!))) well this morning my freaking big booty cochin roo actually got into the box with her while she was laying! I wasn't sure what to think of it I opened the door and made him move and then he stood in front of her and stared at her and made this weird cooing sound. I stood by and all seemed well. She laid an egg and they were back to normal but why on earth would he do that?

And yes ALL my roosts are above ALL of my boxes, I made sure of that when I constructed my house. Unknowingly didn't know the importance of it until receintly lol.

 

[Chicken Fruit]

Its normal chicken behavior. Its generally the rooster that suggests a nice nesting spot as part of his wooing of the hen, and quite often he'll hang out with her in that nest, and even watch the eggs while she's relieving herself and getting some water. The sounds he's making for her are normal too, All part of the romance of it all.

Totally normal.

It WOULDNT be normal if he werent letting her in the box, or if he were pecking the eggs after, or harrassing her phsyically while she was trying to do her thing. But as it is, his little attentions to her and her duty are normal.

My rooster sat in the nesting boxes and made little noises to his hens before they were laying. Especially in one of the boxes... its subsequently always been the favorite box to use for all of them.

 

[lauralou]

That is so sweet!

 

[Biddylover]

Thank you for your quick reponse! I'm so glad this is normal, lol had no idea and he is so HUGE wasn't sure what he was doing. I just wanted to see her lay and then saw what he was doing. Now that I know... that is so romantic! These two are always together too, of course he is our barnyard pimp all my red's love him. He is a keeper I'm so proud I will have to give treats in the morning

 

[Southerngirl]

That is the rooster love song.

He will find places and make his cooing noises and try to get her to make a nest in the spot where he is. Very normal behavior and fun to watch!!!!!

 

[chickenlittle32]

My top roo will actually go and scratch the nest to make it "comfy" for his hens before they lay their eggs. It is so cool to watch. The hen will go lay her egg and he stays and watches to make sure everything comes out ok...LOL

 

[werecatrising]

That is so sweet! I wish I had a rooster. I ended up with all hens.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
Poor baby

I'm sure if you post looking for a roo, 20 or 30 of them will be at your disposal in a matter of seconds!

 

[werecatrising]

I've had a few offers. I'm gonna get one from a Dr. I work with next week.

 

[smiley]

Why do nesting boxes need to be below the roosts?

I am thinking-uh, oh! I bought a new Horizon structure coop and the nest boxes are on the opposite side of the roosts.

Will there be a problem and if so, what will it be?

Here is my coop: http://www.shedsandgazebos.com/coop.asp

Thank you!!