[Bluepied80]

Hi everyone what do people think is the best way to pair yearlings up on widowhood system?

[JCN]

Ramp hens, make sure the weights off them... Providing the cocks have been in boxed section over winter they should claim box and mate up no problem. Healthy doos pair easily

[Bluepied80]

Some of the hens are last years babies and are looking at the cocks like what the hell am im meant to be doing

[dal2]

Bluepied80, on 3 January 2021 - 18:05 PM, said:

Some of the hens are last years babies and are looking at the cocks like what the hell am im meant to be doing

If you have standard widow boxs remember to put a half brick or similar in so the hen has an advantage....sometimes an extra front can be slotted in so they can see each other but not get at each other...once they start nodding the divider can be removed. Keeping the bowl away at the start allows you to bring it back and calm the cock down later on. You could always leave the yearlings until next year and race them celibate....keeps them cocks calmer in the basket.

[neila]

If the cocks have claimed a box put he hens in the closed half for a day ,then let the cocks in for a while why you stand guard after a while then let 2/3 pairs out together
It takes the shock away from the yearling hens and while locked in with the cocks locked out he can seduce her without causing harm