Rooster mating troubles

[BullheadN]

I got a problem.

I have a few buff Orpington hens about 9 months old and an adopted rooster who I was told is 1.5 years old (no idea on his real age). He doesn’t look too old.

In my last flock the roosters would be mating the hens non stop but since I switched to buffs I never see any mating or him chasing the hens. I have also incubated three different hatches and there’s no development. It’s not the incubator because I have put fertilized eggs in with them that developed. I also tried adding another rooster who is 6 mo old and he won’t even chase the hens.

I’ve tried searching the forum for solutions but I’m coming up blank.

The rooster seems healthy and never leaves the hens so I’m at a loss on what to do. Any thoughts?


Thanks

 

[azygous]

How long has this little Don Juan been in the flock? Have you watched how the hens interact with him? It may be the girls haven't accepted him yet, and he's waiting for them to signal they are ready.

And that's another consideration. They may not be fertile at the moment if they are all molting. Unfertile hens have no sex drive. They will be either uninterested or hostile to his advances.

It would really be helpful to know your location on the planet.

 

[BullheadN]

How long has this little Don Juan been in the flock? Have you watched how the hens interact with him? It may be the girls haven't accepted him yet, and he's waiting for them to signal they are ready.

And that's another consideration. They may not be fertile at the moment if they are all molting. Unfertile hens have no sex drive. They will be either uninterested or hostile to his advances.

It would really be helpful to know your location on the planet.

My rooster has been with the flock since 8/20 so about 3 1/2 mo. I got him for free after mine died young from a dog attack and I was told he’s a year and a half old. He roosts with the hens and they stick together pretty tight when out roaming. When they’re on the roost he pecks at the hens a bit now and then but nothing compared to some of the birds I’ve had.

As for the weather and molting I’m in central Montana and the weather varies a lot here. Now it’s 0-45 F degrees. The birds don’t look like they’re molting, and this rooster has never jumped or chased any hens since I’ve had him. But I only have the four buff hens, him, and a 6mo old Maran rooster who is on the bottom of the pecking order but also will not breed the hens.

 

[azygous]

If your hens are in the age range of eighteen months and older, they are molting since you live in the northern hemisphere. It's typical for hens to rebuff roosters during molt because of low hormones and also because it is very, very uncomfortable to be touched during molt.

After February, you should see some stirrings of sex in your flock. Be patient.

 

[JedJackson]

Chickens mate a lot less in late summer through winter. If the problem persists when the days begin to lengthen in Spring, then it may be time to get a new rooster. But chances are that one of the two you have will do the job when Spring hits.