Basic Question

[AccidentalFarm]

At what age do roosters begin mating hens? And do they need a 'break-in' or 'trial' period before the hens eggs are fertile?

Heh, forgive the newbie question.

I have no experience in this area to draw from.

 

[mudhen]

Hi AccidentalFarm !
I can't answer the first part of your question, but I think I read here that it takes about 2 weeks for the fertility issue to kick in.
I may be wrong...so someone correct me please...

 

[fosterchick]

I was told that they will being to mate between 6 and 8 months

 

[CarriBrown]

I've heard two weeks and I've also heard three weeks. So, I would say three weeks for fertile to be safe.

 

[jmantoo1]

hi i have a rir roo and it just turned 7 months old and rides everthing in site lol

 

[Saltiena]

okay, i'm not sure i'm following this post right, the first part i get, but what do you mean by break in period 2-3 weeks, i'm sorry im so lost

ust a bit of being a polock

 

[allen wranch]

The cockerels usually start mounting the pullets about the same time they start to lay.

 

[MayberrySaint]

Quote:
As a friend and former resident of the wonderful country of Poland, I am just horrified at the above slur....j/k

 

[Saltiena]

sorry

lol i'm so used to it coming from my family, it's from my mom's side so when ever i go to my grandparents on my dad's side they always call me a polak

but to clear things i do love poland,been there in fact, when i was 7 very pretty place would love to go there again

 

[MayberrySaint]

It really is a beautiful country...do you remember what part you visited.
It was nice driving through the small villages and seeing flocks of chickens roaming around.