Well I have been seeing the birds in the boxes a lot now. Today I saw them mating but the male would get on and back off after a second or two. He did this four or five times right in front of me. the female would lean forward to try and balance him but he kept falling. Is that enough time to fertilize her? Do they need to mate between eggs? How long after mating is the egg layed? Also what size and shape should the breeding perch need to be? I think the tips you all have given me have really helped.

Thank you all. Dave.

Hiya Dave,

Not sure about the time length - i have seen mine mate for very short times and longer and so far she has laid 2 eggs with another due tomorrow. I guess that you also need to remember that that times you see them mating may not be the only times that they are.

As far as i know they mate each day after they start laying until the hen feels her clutch is large enough.

I think the length between mating and laying is 8 - 10 days, although i borrowed a book from the library yesterday that says the hen can store the sperm for a couple of weeks and then release it when she ovulates.

As for the perch - i suppose each pair have their own fav - but in order to help them balance, not too slim. In my cage i have round perches of varying thicknesses and also a square perch. Mostly i have seen them mate on the round thick ones, although others say that the square is better for balance.

I am by no means an expert, and my baby is having her first babies now, but i hope i have helped a little with your questions and good luck!! Please let us know if anything happens

Kim

xx

i'm no expert either, this is all as i understand it

 

i'm sure the act of mating would take practice, it looks difficult!! your hens will lay when they're ready, and i guess checking on them all the time wont make it happen any faster! just check nest boxes once a day when the hens are out

 

i think that security of the perch is most important, that it cant move or rotate during the balancing act of mating

 

the birds will mate before each new egg is laid

 

good luck, i'm pretty sure patience would be the key for you!