Age of maturity

[HedwigsMum]

Hi all!

I'm not sure the title of this post has the best wording for my question.

We have six 8-week-old Leghorns - adopted from my daughter's embryology study unit at school.

I'm 99% sure we ended up with 3 females and 3 males, which isn't ideal.

My question is: when can I expect the cockerels to reach the age where I may have to begin separating them? At this point they're always together and I haven't witnessed any squabbles; I just want to be proactive and more watchful when I know it's necessary .

I haven't decided what to do with them in the long term yet. We do have a few options, though, which is great.

Here's a couple photos of them in their smallish short-term coop. As they grow they'll relocate to the much larger one set behind it.

View attachment 1603728 View attachment 1603729

Thanks for any insight you can offer!

 

[MissChick@dee]

@ 8 weeks old they’re a bit young to show any issues. The cockerels will begin to try and crow that’s your first clue.
The pullets will begin to squat.
Right about this time hormones are beginning to surge and in my experience that’s when young cockerels will challenge you.
Hope this helps.

 

[HedwigsMum]

@ 8 weeks old they’re a bit young to show any issues. The cockerels will begin to try and crow that’s your first clue.
The pullets will begin to squat.
Right about this time hormones are beginning to surge and in my experience that’s when young cockerels will challenge you.
Hope this helps.

This is very helpful. Thanks!

 

[aart]

The cockerels will begin to try and crow that’s your first clue.
The pullets will begin to squat.

Thing is the males will begin to crow and try to mount a couple months before the females are willing to squat. ~4 months vs ~6 months.

Here's a couple photos of them in their smallish short-term coop. As they grow they'll relocate to the much larger one set behind it.

Your pic links didn't work for me. You may well want to separate the genders when the cockerels start getting randy. My 'extra' boys go to the freezer about 12-16 weeks. Not sure what your goals are, but good to have a plan.

Looked here:

Hopefully it works this time. Doh.View attachment 1562620 View attachment 1562622

Definitely 3 males.

 

[HedwigsMum]

Thing is the males will begin to crow and try to mount a couple months before the females are willing to squat. ~4 months vs ~6 months.



Your pic links didn't work for me. You may well want to separate the genders when the cockerels start getting randy. My 'extra' boys go to the freezer about 12-16 weeks. Not sure what your goals are, but good to have a plan.

Looked here:
Definitely 3 males.

How bizarre it posted old photos - I think the same ones I shared in a post when they were still tiny.
Thanks for the advice! We're still mulling over what to do with them but I am grateful we have options and our kids are fine with all of them. ;-)

 

[HedwigsMum]

Now I posted duplicates somehow. :-/

 

[aart]

How bizarre it posted old photos

I quoted that older post so others could see the pics.

Now I posted duplicates somehow. :-/

not to worry, it can take some practice to figure pic posting out.