The right fit?

[AbuR]

Hi all,
I’m looking to replace a rooster that I got for my flock of 9 hens. He’s a French copper black maran who doesn’t seem to be breeding the hens at all bar one that I’ve seen him attempt to breed. Not sure how successful he was in doing it as I have yet to see the bullseye in any eggs.
I’ve found a new interest in Jersey giants and was wondering would this rooster be too large to be able to mount and breed my hens. I have a mixed flock consisting of 2 RIR, 1 Crested cream Legbar, 1 lavender leghorn, 1 light Sussex, 1 buff Cochin, 1 speckled maran, 1 French black copper maran (these are all hens)

Any advice appreciated!
Thanks in advance

 

[sourland]

How old is the rooster? It takes a cockerel a while to perfect the process of mating.

 

[AbuR]

How old is the rooster? It takes a cockerel a while to perfect the process of mating.

The current cockerel I have (French copper maran) is 18 months… that’s what the breeder told me although I have my doubts… the jersey giant would be about 12 months

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi, Abu! I have no answer to your question but I see you are a new member so I wish to welcome you to BYC and thank you for joining! Sorry I cannot be more help right now.

 

[AbuR]

Hi, Abu! I have no answer to your question but I see you are a new member so I wish to welcome you to BYC and thank you for joining! Sorry I cannot be more help right now.

Hello!
Thank you for the welcome message! That’s very kind of you.
All the way from Manchester, England

 

[LaFleche]

Incubating the eggs for at least 7-10 days would show if he does not mate or is sterile.

What are the temperatures where you live? Roosters need more daylight and warmer temperatures than hens to get their reproductive system (sperm production) in gear. Vitamin E as in germ oils will also help with rooster fertility.

Also: Since when do you have him with your flock?
It can take several weeks even months for a new rooster to get accepted by the hens. Often the senior and most dominant hen will be the last to let him mate her.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Your smallest should be the legbar and leghorn. No bantams. I think from a size perspective you would be OK.

 

[NatJ]

I’m looking to replace a rooster that I got for my flock of 9 hens. He’s a French copper black maran who doesn’t seem to be breeding the hens at all bar one that I’ve seen him attempt to breed. Not sure how successful he was in doing it as I have yet to see the bullseye in any eggs.

I'm no good at spotting bullseyes in eggs.
But I have had times when a rooster lived with a flock of hens and I never saw any mating-- but the eggs were all fertile, as proven by incubating the eggs and getting chicks.

So if you are otherwise satisfied with your current rooster, I would try incubating some eggs as a more accurate check of fertility, before you decide to replace him.

If you want to replace the rooster anyway, certainly do. There's no need to spend time checking fertility if you want a different rooster anyway.

I don't have any suggestions about breed & size of rooster.

 

[AbuR]

Incubating the eggs for at least 7-10 days would show if he does not mate or is sterile.

What are the temperatures where you live? Roosters need more daylight and warmer temperatures than hens to get their reproductive system (sperm production) in gear. Vitamin E as in germ oils will also help with rooster fertility.

Also: Since when do you have him with your flock?
It can take several weeks even months for a new rooster to get accepted by the hens. Often the senior and most dominant hen will be the last to let him mate her.

The temp here isn’t great… but then again it never really is! Haha It’s deffos more sunny then usual, days have gotten longer and it’s warm. Looking around 16/17 degrees. I didn’t know about germ oils that’s useful to know thanks.
Had the rooster now about 12 weeks. I’ve seen him attempt to mate the lowest ranking hen… not sure about success rate.
Thanks

 

[AbuR]

Your smallest should be the legbar and leghorn. No bantams. I think from a size perspective you would be OK.

Yes that’s right my smallest would most definitely be the leghorn and legbar… do you reckon they’ll all be okay with a jersey giant?
Thanks (I have no bantams)