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How Do Chickens Mate? All You Need To Know

How Do Chickens Mate? All You Need To Know

Cockerels dancing and chasing the girls around the yard are a sure sign that the warmer months are here. When the chickens mate, the games begin.

Baby chicks are on the horizon.

Although some of the antics that go on may seem amusing to us, mating is a severe occupation for your chickens.

Only the strong would survive in the wild. This instinct drives so many behaviors.

So, what exactly is involved in getting that egg fertilized? It’s more complicated and devious than you might think – sit back and delve into ‘romancing the hen.’

Let’s start with common rooster and hen mating behaviors before looking at the actual mechanics of mating.

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Our Choice of Treats for Our Chickens

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  • Increase Egg Production
  • Stronger Egg Shells
  • Healthy Feathers

Chickens Mate

Chickens Mate: Rooster Behavior

Roosters think about mating just about all year round – it’s their job. They have to carry on the breed, so he must have as many chicks from his ladies as possible to continue the flock.

The behaviors associated with mating and breeding really ramp up in the springtime, and you will see ‘courtship’ behaviors much more frequently than in the cooler months.

He will become very attentive to the girls, ‘tid-bitting’ them to get them interested in what he has to offer in the way of food.

Tid-bitting involves finding a special tasty morsel for the chosen hen. Then, he will call her over, indicating the special treat by bobbing his head, pecking at the treat, and clucking much like a Mother Hen.

This behavior may not lead directly to mating at the time, but the hen will remember his attentiveness; he is creating an impression.

Any other roosters that hang around in the hope of enticing some hens will be chased off, and if necessary, chest-bumping and fighting may ensue.

Usually, the submissive rooster will back off and run away to fight another day.

The dominant roo will do everything he can to prevent the secondary males from mating with his flock.

But at around three years old, a rooster starts to feel his age and maybe challenged by younger and stronger birds.

The secondary boys will resort to all sorts of tricks to lure a female into a tryst. Tid-bitting, however, is by far the favorite and seems to work well.

Another trick is the rooster ‘dance’.

The rooster dance entails dropping one wing to the ground and shuffling around the hen he selected to mate with.

The wing facing the hen will be dropped to the ground while he ‘dances’ around her, showing his interest.

After reaching the rear of the hen, he will try to hop aboard to mate with her. Some roosters don’t bother with the whole courtship thing and get straight down to business!

Once on top of the hen, he will begin ‘treading’ – this helps him find his balance. He will also grab her comb or head and neck feathers to steady himself further.

Don’t be alarmed at the appearance of the mating process. In most cases, it looks more violent than it is. It’s an awkward-looking procedure because it appears as though the hen is getting attacked by the rooster.

In most cases, the rooster is gentle enough for the hen to tolerate the breeding ritual’s roughness. But now and then, there’s an aggressive rooster who injures the hen.

Keep an eye on this fella, and make sure your hens don’t get beat up by him over time.

Chickens Mate

Chickens Mate and Hen Behavior

When the springtime rolls around, the hens’ hormones go into top gear. In nature, this means the associated behaviors of finding a suitable mate, nest making, laying, and sitting on her eggs until they hatch.

In many hen breeds, this instinct has almost been bred out of them, so they don’t waste time and energy in being broody.

However, there are still many good breeds that will happily turn broody during the summer months.

Also, it’s worth mentioning here that not all hens run true to their expected broodiness.

Rhode Island Reds are not renowned for broodiness, but this is the second year that I have had two of them as mothers – and they do a fine job.

The first part of mating is finding a suitable male. If there is only one rooster for the flock, then he is a lucky boy!

However, if there are more than a couple of roosters, then the mating game can get devious and nasty on occasion.

However, the females aren’t easily fooled.

Research has shown that hens can compare roosters – who has the best comb and shiniest feathers?

She will choose to mate with the fellow that fits the specifications she has in mind.

Apparently, a bright red comb and wattles really do it for the girls!

The hens also judge the suitors’ ability to find food, care for the flock and treat the hens well. Therefore, hens may express a preference for mates based on not only their looks but abilities.

Hens are fickle on occasion, accepting food and tidbits from any rooster but will not necessarily mate with any of them!

Although one rooster may be the ‘alpha male,’ if a hen does not like him, she will not be compliant with the mating ritual and may never mate with him at all.

If she is compliant with mating, she will squat or crouch, dropping her head and body lower and spreading her wings slightly to indicate receptiveness.

You can see this behavior sometimes. For example, if you reach out to touch a hen – she will squat for you.

Once the hen is sitting on her eggs, she will lose all interest in mating and chase off the rooster if he advances to her.

This behavior will continue until she releases her brood, anywhere from 6-10 weeks on average.

After that, the rooster’s advances will not be welcome, and she will let him know in no uncertain way.

Our backyard hens are spoiled in that they already have nesting spots available – ready-made and safe.

So, although taking over the nest-box may not be what you desire, it’s best to leave her there until she has hatched the chicks, then move them.

If you can move them to a broody box once they have hatched, she is unlikely to desert them.

In addition, a broody box will ensure they aren’t trampled in the coop or attacked by the other hens.

It also ensures they receive the correct protein intake for growth and development.

The Mechanics When Chickens Mate

Once the rooster has hopped aboard and has himself well situated, he will dip his tail down and to the side of the hens’ tail and deliver a ‘cloacal kiss.

Chickens Mating

Once the mating is done, he will usually move away while she shakes her feathers out and resumes normal business.

So, what is a ‘cloacal kiss,’ I hear you ask?

A rooster doesn’t have a penis, just a tiny ‘bump’ called a papilla inside his cloaca. It is via this papilla that the sperm is delivered to the hen.

A rooster may mate between 10-30 times per day, depending on his ability and enthusiasm. His ‘sperm load’ is greater in the morning when he can deliver anywhere between 100 million – 5 billion sperm!

That’s an awful lot of little swimmers, but the mechanics of getting the sperm into the hens’ cloaca are tricky.

At the same time that the rooster delivers the sperm in the ‘kiss,’ she must evert her cloaca/vent so that the sperm are directed up to the waiting eggs.

Once inside the oviduct, the sperm will go on to fertilize the ‘egg of the day.

Sperm will also be collected in ‘sperm pockets’ located within the walls of the oviduct.

This stored sperm is viable for four to five days and is quite capable of fertilizing successive eggs.

Chickens Mate

Common Problems When Chickens Mate

Sometimes roosters can be a little rough on the ladies. However, the usual array of damage is thankfully minor, such as feather loss and breakage.

Loss of feathers and red, irritated bald spots are a good indication that the hen is a ‘favorite.’ Often, she will have a small bald area on the top of her head just behind the comb.

This is where he will grab her feathers in his beak.

The area that usually suffers the worst is the back, where his claws can rake over the feathers and skin, sometimes causing skin abrasions.

Chickens Mating 2

Usually, these are fairly superficial and can be easily treated, but sometimes his claws can do significant damage to the skin, ripping it open and causing problems.

I use a salve containing comfrey and plantain to soothe and heal reddened areas, but if there are open areas, the skin should be treated with antibiotic ointment as needed.

If you notice your hens starting to get a little ragged over their backs, you can fit them with a ‘saddle.’ These items certainly do save the hen some ‘wear and tear’ on her exposed skin.

A saddle is simply a barrier between the feathers and the rooster’s talons. It is fitted under the wings to keep it in place. It certainly cuts down on damage to the hens’ back from overly amorous roosters.

The skin under the saddles should be checked and treated daily. It does get hot and moist under the saddle – a perfect environment for bacteria, lice, and mites to thrive in.

If the damage is more severe with open wounds and bleeding, you will have to remove the hen from the flock for a while and treat the wounds with soap, water, and antibiotic ointment.

Deeper wounds may need to be stitched, and in these cases, you should consult your veterinarian.

If you cannot afford a vet, you can sometimes get the wound to close together using ‘butterfly’ type Band-Aids. Be very diligent about checking the wound for infection.

With a rooster causing these types of injury on several hens, it may be best to lock him up until the girls heal.

Then, when he is released, monitor his behavior – if he is consistently rough and causing damage, it might be time to think about another rooster.

When Chickens Mate There Can Be Rooster Attacks

Occasionally, if there are competing roosters, there may be some significant wounds inflicted among them. Combs can be ripped and will bleed profusely.

You will need to catch and treat the victim.

Usually, the pressure applied to the comb will stop the bleeding after several minutes. Using a small pad or tissue, pinch the damaged comb between your fingers firmly.

You can also apply styptic powder to slow down the bleeding.

Some folks use baking powder or corn starch to do this.

The damaged rooster will need to be separated until the damage has healed.

Rooster attacks can happen during the mating process. This is rare but has been known to happen. Most often this happens when there aren’t enough hens for the number of roosters in the flock.

Most roosters are happy to share the same space if they each have enough hens of their own.

The dynamics of dual-flock farms can be challenging, especially during the Spring, when breeding is at an all-time high.

You’ll see some roosters try to steal hens from a neighboring flock by doing his rooster dance and shuffling her around toward his current flock.

With that being said, hens are pretty attached and loyal to their chosen rooster. Hens rarely change roosters.

Fertilizing Eggs

Another problem with mating that can occur is actually getting your chickens’ eggs fertilized!

Some of the ‘fluffier’ breeds, such as Wyandottes and Orpingtons’ can have difficulty collecting the sperm because of all that fluff.

One quick and simple solution is to trim away much of the ‘bum fluff’ so her cloaca is more accessible to the male.

It doesn’t look stunning, and if she’s a show bird, she won’t be on the stage anytime soon, but if you want baby chicks, this is the easy way to go.

Our Choice for All-In-One Automatic Chicken Coop Door

Run Chicken

  • Works Rain or Shine so you don’t have to let them out in inclement weather.
  • Go ahead and get those extra hours of sleep or go on vacation, our door has you covered.
  • Protect your Chickens from Predators with our self-locking feature

Our Choice of Treats for Our Chickens

Happy Grubs: More Calcium Than Mealworms

  • Increase Egg Production
  • Stronger Egg Shells
  • Healthy Feathers

Summary on When Chickens Mate

As you can see, the trials and tribulations of barnyard mating are similar to the problems we all had as teenagers….

Generally, the whole process goes smoothly without any interference from a keeper, but now and then, an overly amorous rooster can damage hens quite badly.

Usually, it’s the younger roosters and due to inexperience on their part.

Some roosters will actually take a turn at sitting on the eggs while Mama takes a bath and snack. But, of course, he will still guard and care for the rest of his girls.

If you have such a rooster – keep him!

Good roosters are hard to find.

Do you have any rooster tales that you would like to share with us? Let us know in the comments below. You know we love to hear from you.

READ NEXT:  How Long Do Chickens Lay Eggs For?

Chickens Mate

22 thoughts on “How Do Chickens Mate? All You Need To Know

  1. I have a ‘good’ rooster. Though he does not sit on any eggs (no broody girls in my gang), he does take care of his ladies nicely and even seems to understand me. Sometimes, after they have all been out free-ranging, one of the girls might not want to come back to the run so I’ll say to Roger (the rooster) ‘go tell Ms. Marple that she needs to come back’ and low and behold, Roger walks out of the run and starts talking to Ms Marple (or whatever girl I ask him to persuade to come home) as if he is saying ‘come on home, Love…come to big Roger’ He is a big beautiful guy, but I do worry sometimes that he just might be too big (heavy) for our Leghorns as they are the most delicate looking of our flock which is made up of 4 rescue hens and 2 backyard hens they were born and raised alongside Roger. I’ve met and heard of mean roosters, but my guy is so sweet he even eats out of my hand!! Lucky me!!

      1. Hi I have a hand reared silver Wyandotte rooster he is a friendly chap who has been hand reared along with to Golden Wyandotte hens I am hoping that he will be able to give me a nice little flock of hens this is my first hand reared rooster I was very surprised him being friendly as my little experience with my friends rooster was awful very aggressive so I thought that is what they are all like but that is not true

  2. Thank you so much for this article. I decided to give my only rooster away. I have 25 chickens and he favored only 3. Now one is dead because of it . I guess live and learn

  3. I only have one Hybrid left and she’s become broody. I’m concerned that over the coming winter months she may get lonely. I don’t really want to introduce new hens into the coop due to the stress it causes. So i’m thinking seeing shes broody i could take her to a nearby Rooster at this farm i know and hopefully have a clutch of her own? would this work?

    1. It could work but generally it works the other way around. You’d bring the Rooster into your coop until she has a clutch then remove him 🙂
      Claire

  4. We acquired 3 different breeds of chicks in April 2017 that resulted in 3 roosters (one of each breed) for a total of 9 chickens. My grandsons have fallen in love and named all of them.
    We have 2 Dixie Rainbows, 5 Silkies, and 2 lavender ones (my daughter can’t remember their breed). So far, Rainbow the DR rooster seems to be the dominant and most hold-able. The 2 lavender chicks kind of keep to themselves because they were acquired about 2-3 weeks later and not initially kept with the others. Chris, that rooster hasn’t started crowing, but Rainbow is quite loud and Olaf, the Silkie is still learning the “tune”.
    My concern is, will the breeds keep to themselves for breeding as they are all co-inhabiting and enjoy the company. I am concerned for the DR’s and and the lavender ones that only have one of each sex will have problems.
    Any help here?
    Thanks!

    1. She may just be too young to get broody, or she may not be a Breed of chicken that gets broody. Some broody breeds are silkies, Brahmas, Cochins, Sussex, Orpingtons, Bharma and Astralorp. You will find these breeds get broody often and also lay a significant amount of eggs too!!
      Good luck!

    1. Yes, they do. If you want to keep his offspring consider getting another coop and another rooster. This way you will avoid intercross breeding.

  5. I have a nice rooster. He lets me pick him up, and he seems to treat my hens well. .
    My chickens have really runny poops. We feed them good food from a place called Scratch and Peck, and we give them no corn. What can I do to stop this?

    1. I have heard not to give them anything but the feed. No scratch or snacks. If you do it keeps them from being able to get the nutrients from the nutritionally balanced feed.

      1. Why do you hate your rooster?
        If he badly behaves you just need to train him you are NOT a threat to his flock and that you are the boss. Do NOT back down from him or show you are scared. Make yourself as big as possible. Keep the big pose until HE backs away not you.
        I hope this helps! 🙂

  6. I know this is silly…but do the females really consent? I’ve been surprised at how well they understand “I don’t like this and I want you to stop” or “I enjoy this and want you to continue” so are the giving chicken level of consent or are they being attacked by the rooster? I know it gets rough, a friend had several die from mating with a mean rooster and he was even more delicious because of it. I would rather have my girls be sprinters until I eat them than have them being forced. I know it doesn’t make sense but I’m worried none the less. I want new stock soon but I don’t want to see my girls go through it.

  7. thank you. all helpful information, I was looking to find out how often to have my hens mate in order to get a few chicks. Our neighbor’s rooster visits regularly, I don’t think I will need to get a rooster! I have not started to let our hens out as I am afraid that they will stray to the neighbor’s farmyard – where the roosters (and goats) live.

  8. I hav 3 chickens,one cockerel nd 2 pullets i sometimes give them feed but most times they feed from what is on the ground.
    1)Can these make they pullets lay eggs?
    2)Should i give them feed or should them feed from the ground?

  9. Hello,
    I have 8 chickens; one silkie Roo and one silkie hen and the rest a mixed flock. They are about 9 months old and the silkie hen is definitely last on the pecking order. My Roo will mate all the other hens but the silkie hen. Her eggs are not fertile and I’ve never seen him mate her. Why is this and what can I do to get them to mate?

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