3 Cockerel and 1 Pullet

[Jgerrior125]

So, the two roosters are older chickens? I’m a little confused. If you have one pullet in with 3 cockerels, I would separate her ASAP, or make plans to do so sooner rather than later. If those boys hit sexual maturity before you get rid of them, she will have no peace. They will knock each other off her to breed with her, they will chase her relentlessly to breed her, they will chase her from food and water to breed her… At least that’s what happened here when I had a 1:1 ratio of cockerels to pullets. Those girls had no peace, and there were a dozen of them.

The 3 cockerel and 1 pullets are all the same age and almost 13 weeks. We will be re homing them asap and keeping an eye but was told they wouldn't be mating till 5-6 months so wanted to make sure I took a few days to do separate them correctly and not leave the hen solo if I should introduce the smaller chickens with her sooner.

 

[ShrekDawg]

They can mate sooner. I had one successfully fertilizing eggs at 4 months old lol

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They can mate sooner. I had one successfully fertilizing eggs at 4 months old lol

I agree. I had a straight run of EE once and the cockerels became very "randy" at about 4 months and started jumping on the pullets in a very aggressive way, not taking no for an answer.... the pullets became terrified to go into the coop where the cockerels would be laying in wait to attack them, and they would also chase the pullets mercilessly. Fortunately I was able to separate the cockerels until I was able to take them to my meat processor and get them into the freezer.

 

[Jgerrior125]

They can mate sooner. I had one successfully fertilizing eggs at 4 months old lol

And right on cue I was out watching them and one tried to jump on her but was unsuccessful so now I know what I'm doing tonight lol

 

[aart]

wouldn't be mating till 5-6 months

That's when pullets start to lay.
Males start trying to mate between 3-4 months.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I agree. I had a straight run of EE once and the cockerels became very "randy" at about 4 months and started jumping on the pullets in a very aggressive way, not taking no for an answer.... the pullets became terrified to go into the coop where the cockerels would be laying in wait to attack them, and they would also chase the pullets mercilessly. Fortunately I was able to separate the cockerels until I was able to take them to my meat processor and get them into the freezer.

Oh wow!!!

And right on cue I was out watching them and one tried to jump on her but was unsuccessful so now I know what I'm doing tonight lol

Good call.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

That's when pullets start to lay.
Males start trying to mate between 3-4 months.

Woops, you're right! The cockerels mature earlier than the pullets. Thanks for pointing that out.