Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
a male-dominated act, the hen has little choice in the matter and the male decides when
and where it will happen, overtaking the hen as he pleases. This is especially true with
specific breeds, such as some of the egg-laying types of chickens that tend to be a little
higher strung.
If you are shifting hens away from a strong, dominant male to a weaker one, you may
have to wait a while longer to get pure eggs. The new, weaker male may not want to
mate until he has control over the hens. Or the females may resist the new male. They
may not have ever been with a male, or a dominant matriarchal hen may set up a chal-
lenge to the less aggressive male. When you have strong challenging and resistant hens
you'll either need to be patient or present them with a very controlling, dominant male.
Ducks
will not present you with the problem of liberated females; drakes dominate
the entire reproductive process. Heavier ducks, such as exhibition strains of Rouens and
Saxonys, sometimes show a decreased interest in breeding and even the male's desire is
lacking except for short periods during the year. Changing drakes will sometimes stop
the breeding process altogether.
Geese
are much more particular than are chickens when it comes to match-making.
It seems that geese need to have some time to establish a relationship before they will
accept a new mate. Newly introduced pairs often won't start a family until a year after
meeting.
Turkeys
do not respond well to any changes in breeding situations. Hens are attracted
to and become very attached to particular males before the laying season. If breeding
pens are not set up several months before laying starts, it can be tough to obtain fertile
eggs from the desired male- and female-relationship. In most cases, hens don't respond
well to a new male.
Peafowl
females, similar to their turkey sisters, are very much in control of the breed-
ing process, always deciding when and with whom to mate.
Prepping for Breeding Season
You must get your breeding pens set up at a time that coordinates with the needs of the
type of birds you plan to breed.
For chickens accustomed to natural light, it is a good idea to
set up your breeding
pens
, which means placing the chosen male with the chosen hen or hens, during their
“downtime,” when they are molting usually during the months of November, December,
or January. You can introduce chickens to their new partners at any time, but the chances
of a new partnership taking hold are lessened as the laying season progresses.
For example, if in the middle of June or July, you decide to remove a breeding rooster
from the group of hens you initially established in December, you will have extremely
variable results: the hens may not respond to the new match or the male may not be
