13/14 week old fertile cockerel?

[JadedPhoenix]

I have two young cockerels who are no older than 14 weeks old and I've noticed that my older laying hens' eggs have shown fertility once more after being without a rooster for more than two months. The boys are still much younger than my laying hens and the older girls are pretty bossy around the young cockerels and pullets so I didn't think that they'd be submitting to them already. Neither have crowed yet nor have I witnessed any mating but apparently they are since the eggs are fertile.

What is the youngest that you've noticed your roosters mating with your hens and leaving fertile eggs?

 

[JadedPhoenix]

Anyone? I still feel that these boys are too young to be getting their freak on but the fertile eggs have to be coming from somewhere. Are my fellas just really gifted?

 

[aart]

Friend of mine has this same mystery.....we decided that her free range hens are hooking up somewhere with a rooster down the road. I doubt 14 week old roosters are mating but I'm not sure.

 

[JadedPhoenix]

My hens are not free-range. They are in a 40' x 22' run with a net over the top as well. No way for a stray rooster to get in.

 

[aart]

My hens are not free-range. They are in a 40' x 22' run with a net over the top as well. No way for a stray rooster to get in.

Well then, either your young roosters are sexually precocious or hens hold sperm way longer than is usually discussed.