Roosters harem

[J99]

does each Rooster have his own special set of hens? Or everyone’s fair game?

 

[sourland]

In a free range or feral setting roosters tend to have their own harems but will rarely pass up the chance to catch as catch can.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Depending on how you are set up and manage them, a bit of both.

With living animals you don't get guarantees about behavior but typically if you have enough room each rooster establishes his own territory and has his own harem. He defends his territorial borders against encroachment by other roosters and tends to his own hens. So in that respect he has his own special set of hens.

That does not mean he is loyal only to his girls though or that his girls are always loyal to him. If he gets an opportunity he will mate with another hen and she might cooperate. Different things can lead to that opportunity. Some roosters keep their hens in a tight flock, others let them roam more on their own. The more hens per harem the more likely you will get some that roam. How clearly are those individual territories marked and how hard is to to encroach? Some roosters are more bold or adventurous than others. Regardless of the daytime territory does each rooster/harem sleep separately or together? Do the hens all lay in the same coop or does each harem have its own nesting area? I'm sure there are many other things that could lead to opportunity.

Not all roosters are able to set up and defend their own territory or attract hens if they do. They may live solitary or in a bachelor flock. These will try to encroach often.

 

[J99]

Thank you so much well he’s new and he’s 4 months and the pullets are only 6!weeks and there’s baby pullets that are 3 weeks but there’s four polish pullets that instead of going inside at night at dusk with all the rest of them like they always have , they are always perched beside him in the enclosed run wanting to sleep out there together with him

 

[centrarchid]

Thank you so much well he’s new and he’s 4 months and the pullets are only 6!weeks and there’s baby pullets that are 3 weeks but there’s four polish pullets that instead of going inside at night at dusk with all the rest of them like they always have , they are always perched beside him in the enclosed run wanting to sleep out there together with him

You are not yet seeing distinctively rooster behavior. The younger birds are gravitating to the highest ranking bird that does not run them off.

 

[J99]

And look how she lays by him like she’s a sacrifice or his food is that normal