Forestchook Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 On New Years day I finally plucked up the courage to let my chooks freerange for the first time for a while before their bed time. To my dismay my cockerell, Bosley, started crowling, but then he pinned one of the girls. I have now let them on on four evenings ( would be five but they hid yesterday) and every time Bosley has pinned one of the girls and apparently tried to... well have his way with them. I have not noticed him try anything in the run. I have to stand at some distance (because they are all complete wimps and I don't want to scare them) so could I be misinterpreting his actions? It's just neither girl is laying yet and I had the impression that cockerells don't waste their effort if the ladies aren't laying. However it doesn't look like he's just putting them in their place. Does that mean I can expect some eggs soon, or is Bosley just too enthusiastic? Thanks N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 As my cockerel is only interested in the girls who are laying I would say yes - eggs coming soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 My boy only mates with the older girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Onion is a young cockerel and only tries it on with smaller hens. Our Legbar Tikka is our biggest bird and has come back into lay, Onion has only dares to look at her. A while ago he had tried in on with her and been chased around the garden by an enraged hen for his troubles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Boris is only just 6 month old and hasn't learned yet that he's only supposed to mount girls that are laying much to the dissgused of his to faverite girls both of whom aren't laying at the moment one's just started her moult the other is still growing feathers. he does tend to be more intrested when out in the garden than in the run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forestchook Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share Posted January 9, 2011 Thanks for the replies. Bosley is only about 6 months or so old. The girls just squawk a bit to start with but other than that don't seem too bothered. They are the same age as Bosley so if he's confused at least they don't know any better. N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Well he's a cockerel so think he might just have started treading. My boys are 8 months old and have started treading the girls if they ever FR with them, have to be careful 'cos the boys are huge and some of the girls are tiny Hopefully get some eggs soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Sounds like an egg is imminent.... the boys are pretty clever and ours certainly avoided the chicks until a couple of weeks before an egg appeared!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 My little cockerel starts to tread his girls just before they come into lay and, yes, freedom and fresh air do seem to go to his head rather. The minute the door is opened for their FR day he is off chasing one. The older ones are quite wise to him and know where to dive off to but the younger ones get caught Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
