Buff Orpington

[6-Hens-and-Me]

Are they squatting for Freddo? Showing any interest in nest boxes or becoming more "talkative?" Those are signs they're getting close but to be honest... looking at those combs and wattles I think you're several weeks away.

No squats yet they are getting chatty-
Do you think I could put Freddo in what I like to call “ Cadbury palace” where there are plenty mature hens to give these two less stress? As he wants them to squat but they won’t just yet.

 

[WingItRanch]

No squats yet they are getting chatty-
Do you think I could put Freddo in what I like to call “ Cadbury palace” where there are plenty mature hens to give these two less stress? As he wants them to squat but they won’t just yet.

That's up to you! I personally would put him with mature hens to get him some "practice" and also give the pullets a break from his mating attempts. The older hens often will teach a hormonal cockerel how to be gentle. They'll put him in his place haha. Is he your only male?

 

[6-Hens-and-Me]

That's up to you! I personally would put him with mature hens to get him some "practice" and also give the pullets a break from his mating attempts. The older hens often will teach a hormonal cockerel how to be gentle. They'll put him in his place haha. Is he your only male?

Yeah he’s my only one, I had to cull the last one as he got severe frost bite and it was untreatable- he was a lovely maran rooster- I’ve havent kept Orpington’s in a very long time so I just wanted to make sure everything was ok for this breed as I will breed from these now up until next spring and I’ll go from there really.

Thanks for your advise I do appreciate it, I’ll pop him in with my others then- I do have a cream Legbar at the moment and she’s much smaller (just her breed) she’s called Bornville- they haven’t got along at all from brief meetings (they free range) and when she passes his coop she gets really nasty and actually hurt him.

Do you think that if he got a hold of her he could accidentally crush her? That’s bornville it’s hard to tell but Freddo is probably 3x the size of her.

 

[WingItRanch]

Yeah he’s my only one, I had to cull the last one as he got severe frost bite and it was untreatable- he was a lovely maran rooster- I’ve havent kept Orpington’s in a very long time so I just wanted to make sure everything was ok for this breed as I will breed from these now up until next spring and I’ll go from there really.

Thanks for your advise I do appreciate it, I’ll pop him in with my others then- I do have a cream Legbar at the moment and she’s much smaller (just her breed) she’s called Bornville- they haven’t got along at all from brief meetings (they free range) and when she passes his coop she gets really nasty and actually hurt him.

Do you think that if he got a hold of her he could accidentally crush her? That’s bornville it’s hard to tell but Freddo is probably 3x the size of her.View attachment 4032565

I'm not sure. I know its normal for a male to be much bigger than females and that's why they squat- to help with the weight. If she's really mean to him, she'll probably not squat for him until he proves himself and earns her respect. Just keep a close eye. My guess is he'll avoid her and she'll probably tell him off if he gets close. Then once he establishes himself as the lead male, the interactions may be calmer.

There may be some growing pains if the older hens beat him up a bit and he tries to push back.

 

[6-Hens-and-Me]

I'm not sure. I know its normal for a male to be much bigger than females and that's why they squat- to help with the weight. If she's really mean to him, she'll probably not squat for him until he proves himself and earns her respect. Just keep a close eye. My guess is he'll avoid her and she'll probably tell him off if he gets close. Then once he establishes himself as the lead male, the interactions may be calmer.

There may be some growing pains if the older hens beat him up a bit and he tries to push back.

Ok that’s great- she’s always been a sassy hen

 

[WingItRanch]

Ok that’s great- she’s always been a sassy hen

I like some sass in my chickens! You've got a beautiful flock. Good luck!

 

[6-Hens-and-Me]

I like some sass in my chickens! You've got a beautiful flock. Good luck!

Thanks I’ll be sure to pass that on to them all- hey- it might boost my egg production I’ve got 9 hens and two pullets- I’m going to start getting 20 eggs a day after that comment