A cock with 2 hens

westy · May 21, 2006

i have lost a cock (as some of you migth know) and the hen is alone but all the other birds are paired up and one cock "sir jim" i saw mateing the spare hen aswell as having is own hen who is due to lay what shall i do.

ribble · May 21, 2006

leave them to it,he should look after both nests.

Diamond dave · May 21, 2006

Hi Martin.

Still no sign of that cock?

Don't worry about the 2 hens, Ive often had a spare widowhood hen that I have put in the stock loft. Your hen will probably lay on her own. The cock that trod her may help her sit but dont worry if not, his main duty will be with the nest that he already has. It could be that the spare hen will sit full term if she doesnt get fed up but you must only let her rear one on her own(keep both eggs in the nest until the hatch tho).

The only problem is that the youngun will be termed "bred in the purple" cos you cant identity the sire.

Dont give up on the lost cock yet - late breds are fickle- especially in the yearling stage.

Good luck mate.