Baby roosters, how young is too old?

[akchick76]

At what age can roosters start mating? Just in case I get cockerels with my chicks, at what age do they need to be separated if I don't want them to breed?

 

[Judy]

Somewhere around 12 to 16 weeks. But why would you have a problem with their mating?

 

[akchick76]

Just in case. This is my first time raising chicks. I'm used to raising cats and dogs and goats and horses. Everything but chickens.

 

[akchick76]

I think I'm just concerned about behavior before I have enough room to separate them.

 

[gimmie birdies]

they will mate successfully at 5 months. I have a friendly Coco Maran who will be happy to know 18 lonely laying hens will be needing his services. and 3 grandma hens too.

 

[gimmie birdies]

If you collect eggs everyday you will not have to worry about them being fertile, only after 3 days or so you could even tell.

 

[Fred's Hens]

We usually take out the cockerels at 9-12 weeks. We pen them up in what we call the bachelor pad. They get along fine in their own space. There's little to no fighting, as there are no females to fuss over. It works for us. Their future is the stew pot, unless one absolutely grabs our eye as a breeder. But, 90% of them will be processed. Does that help?

 

[akchick76]

Yes Fred. Thank you. I'm just not ready for breeding, and babies in the snow, and building a bachelor pad. Maybe next year, when I'm planning on inviting a "traveling salesman" for a brief visit..

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'm not sure what your concern is? If you don't incubate them they won't hatch.

 

[akchick76]

No, no. I just don't want any baby boys trying to "get with" the baby girls.