Young rooster having issues mounting hens.

[JDB99]

I have lost a few hens due to various issues the last year and lost 2 more today from the 110+ heat wave. So I'm wanting to hopefully hatch some chicks out before the end of august to have more eggs in spring. I have a good sized 20 week old bcm roo, he hasn't shown any interest in the ladies until last week or so, but I've noticed him grabbing the girls by the back of the next and holding them. They freak out and throw a fit until he lets go. He isn't being mean and I think he is trying to mount them. There is another EE rooster in there that was hatched the same time and he is having the time of his life right now. Is this a common problem with the young guys? If so how long does it usually take them to get the hang of it? I am hoping to get at least 1 or 2 babies from him, if not however its no biggie as ill use him next year.

 

[HuskerHens18]

I think its normal. I'll notice my young guys grabbing the girls while they freak out, then the top rooster will immediately come over and the girls submit to him without issue.
I THINK it's because the females do not yet respect the young guys in the pecking order. They will in time

 

[Glashavenfarm]

It'll just take him a little bit to get it right. My avatar rooster is my favorite and he didn't figure it out until he was almost 6 months old! I would just watch him thinking wow buddy you're going to have to do better than that. But now that he's got the hang of it I've gotten 15 babies in 3 months hatched naturally from broody hens.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How old are the hens? How many do you have?

20wks is still very young for large fowl, imho. Give him time, he will improve his technique.

Two 20wk old cockerels may turn out to be a handful

 

[JDB99]

We have 30 hens 24 are 2 years old and 6 are the same age as the roos

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We have 30 hens 24 are 2 years old and 6 are the same age as the roos

The BCM just needs time to mature

 

[JDB99]

That's what I was hoping for, hope he gets the hang soon, he is turning I to a very pretty bird.

 

[Cryss]

My Lavender Orpington cockerel is 8.5 months old. The ladies would sqwakk! and run away when he would grab their necks, wings, or tail feathers. If he ever was able to get a better grip he couldn't get a leg up n over. Clumsy as a teenage boy trying to cop his first feel. Finally about a week ago one of the ladies quietly allowed him and he's been a happy boy ever since. No more drama, just a lotta lovin with his 6 ladies.