Firewithin
In the Brooder
- Apr 22, 2015
- 18
- 2
- 22
So, I actually have three different groups of chickens penned together. They are as followed:
Early April Hatch - Silkie cross - 3 rooster and 3 hens
June 19th Hatch - EE's - 3 possible hens and two unsexed
July 1st Hatch - Silkie cross (unrelated from the April clutch) - 11 unsexed birds
Now, my three April silkie roos are pretty much adults. They crow and do their little mating dance and whatnot, but my hens still seems to be too young to start egg-laying. We've had no eggs thus far. However, that hasn't stopped any of my roosters from mating and the one I witnessed yesterday seemed to be successful; the hen didn't fight it and seemed receptive.
So, my question is if a rooster is mating a non-laying female, should I be expecting eggs soon? I wasn't expecting any for another few months because I've read that silkies lay around 9-10 months of age... Then again, these aren't purebred so maybe that doesn't apply to them?
Early April Hatch - Silkie cross - 3 rooster and 3 hens
June 19th Hatch - EE's - 3 possible hens and two unsexed
July 1st Hatch - Silkie cross (unrelated from the April clutch) - 11 unsexed birds
Now, my three April silkie roos are pretty much adults. They crow and do their little mating dance and whatnot, but my hens still seems to be too young to start egg-laying. We've had no eggs thus far. However, that hasn't stopped any of my roosters from mating and the one I witnessed yesterday seemed to be successful; the hen didn't fight it and seemed receptive.
So, my question is if a rooster is mating a non-laying female, should I be expecting eggs soon? I wasn't expecting any for another few months because I've read that silkies lay around 9-10 months of age... Then again, these aren't purebred so maybe that doesn't apply to them?