Pairing Birds???

[Grizz]

Need opinions on pairing birds for breeding: Is it best to take the cock to the hen in the nest box or take the hen to the cock? Thanks.

[re lee]

Hen to the cock. As the breeding hole would be the cocks. And the hen will submit more readly to pairing up. But more is involved towards putting the birds together.

[TerriB]

Pairing will proceed more smoothly if you cage the two birds side-by-side for several days first. Usually, you will noticed them trying to groom each other through the wire separating them. This give the hen a chance to become familiar with her new mate before he starts driving her to the nest.

[Grizz]

Thanks for the help.

[Grizzled]

I lock all cocks in their nest releasing one cock at a time, at which time I introduce one hen. The cock is already settled to his nest and the hen has the luxury of having the whole section and her cock all to herself. It reduces the chance of having the hen scalped or intimidated and I find they mate up very quickly this way. When the first pair are settled into the nest without any objections, lock them in and release the second cock and introduce the second hen etc. etc.

[TerriB]

This seems like a great way to proceed! I'll use this the next time I bring in a hen. Thanks!