hey how are Peeps......

 

I have a weird sitaution nothing too different for me LOL......... I have a hen who is down breeding and the cock...well wouldnt mate with her he seems in condition......So I was watching and saw her wanting to mate, I grabbed another paired cock and within minutes they were going for it non stop...

My question is I want the cock that was paired to another hen to go back to her and not stay with the one I put him with to mate.....Just wondering if I could take him out soon and put him back and bring the other non mating one back to help raise the chicks....

And if so when should I move him back

 

I know this is a not very common thing>>>> LOL

It is infact a common thing.

Some show breeders have two hens they want to breed with the same cock, so they swap the cock bird between the two cages..Leave the cock bird in one cage for two days, next cage for two days ( or one day, I am not sure) I have never personally done it.

I think they leave the cock bird in with the hen with the most chicks. eg. one nest has 3 chicks, one had 5.They would leave the cock bird in the one with 5. Hens are capable of raising a clutch by themselves, as long as it is in a cage breeding situation.

 

In your situation, would only have one fertile egg, and that is IF he fertilised her through one mating, as they normally mate numerous times.

I would put the non-mating cock back in with his original hen, and let them be together.

One possibility is that he has already been mating with her, he just didn't mate while you were looking. This happens on numerous occasions, as we don't spend every living moment with them.

 

Hope this helped a bit.

Maybe wait for someone more experienced

Edited September 25, 201014 yr by Squeak_Crumble

Thanks Squeak_crumble for you advise...I did know breeders put their studs through alot of hens, but I didnt plan to do that.....Not really wanting to leave the hen on her own to sit and raise chicks....

Would like top get another male in to help......is that possible????

 

Cheers

As stated above, you can put the other cock bird back in. He will hopefully fertilise the rest of the clutch and help her. Just dont be suprised if a stray coloured chick turns up, or if one doesn't.

Just because you dont see them mating, doesnt mean they are not. I have cocks I have seen mating all day and never fill an egg. Yet cocks that i've never seen mate have filled every egg their hens ever laid!

right

In your situation, would only have one fertile egg, and that is IF he fertilised her through one mating, as they normally mate numerous times.

 

A whole clutch can been fertilized with one successful mating as the semen can last around 10 days (and that is about 5 eggs) this is why some breeder separate their hens for 2 weeks before pairing to be sure of the parentage.

In your situation, would only have one fertile egg, and that is IF he fertilised her through one mating, as they normally mate numerous times.

 

A whole clutch can been fertilized with one successful mating as the semen can last around 10 days (and that is about 5 eggs) this is why some breeder separate their hens for 2 weeks before pairing to be sure of the parentage.

 

 

 

Really? I guess we all learn something new, and in my case I give something wrong away also

I am running a cock with 2 hens at the moment,

He goes with one hen late aro till morning and the I put him with the other hen for the day and the he goes back to the first hen late arvo again. After hens have laid eggs he will stay with the first hen because the second hen is a feather plucker so hers will be fostered anyway.

This cock is a very strong cock and that is why I am doing it. (My white Df spangle)

Edited September 25, 201014 yr by splat