Ahead of breeding, in early spring, the cocks gather at traditional display grounds, so-called black grouse leks, where they compete for the hens' favour by bubbling, jumping and performing mock fights. After mating, the hen does all the work alone. She lays 6–10 eggs in a simple scrape on the ground, well hidden under scrub or vegetation, and incubates for around 25–27 days. The chicks are nidifugous and follow the hen from the very first day.