Hi all,

I bought new grey cock for "new blood" in aviary. Paired him with hen1, whom I had bred no problems. She laid 1 egg, eaten, laid 2 more both attacked. Did not know if hen or cock doing it.

 

Changed hens, she laid 1 egg okay, laid 3 now, to-day cock birds cere bloodied eggs okay. then found cock attacking hen on floor of cage. Marked eggs, removed cock. Replaced him with cock that had bonded with this hen before

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Within minutes they were mating etc. NOW is it likely she will stay on eggs? continue laying rest of cycle or not.

I don't have another hen with eggs this age, ( 2 looking fertile already) to foster eggs, only hen laying has 6 & 2 chicks.

 

Would hen have attacked cock to protect her eggs? never had this before. Hoping she stays on eggs as at least they would be some " new blood" and would I try Cock again?

 

Any thought's welcome as this is a new experience for me.

Sounds like someone got rid of a problem cockbird to me

 

As far as the hen continuing..she may or she may not....only time will tell and you will have to be observant ( which I know you will be ). In most cases of a new cock in the cage they abandon and start all over, but some will just continue.

Thanks Kaz.,

That old hindsight being a wonderful thing? If it is the Cock bird would this be an ongoing problem, which I now think it is, as neither hen had a problem before.or Would it be worth trying him again?

Would it be worth trying him again?

 

I wouldnt ...............he isnt just an egg eater he's a fighter, a scrapper. I would sell him on with full disclosure as to his faults ( i.e. not as a breeder ).

Would it be worth trying him again?

 

I wouldnt ...............he isnt just an egg eater he's a fighter, a scrapper. I would sell him on with full disclosure as to his faults ( i.e. not as a breeder ).

 

Thanks Kaz. Well hen seems to be sitting on remaining 2 eggs (1 was cracked) , hope they hatch. Will keep an eye on Cock in aviary to see he doesn't cause trouble there.

Robyn, this thread came up while I was doing a search. Did this hen of yours stay on her original eggs after you introduced the new cock? Kaz' answer above says some will and some won't, so I was wondering if yours did.