Crowing Rooster - When will I have eggs?

[KYChick-a-doodle-doo]

I have a flock of 11 which are a mix of Leghorns, Barred Rocks and Australorps. They are all about 12 weeks old right now, but at least one of my two leghorn roosters has started crowing. (I haven't caught him in the act yet, so I am not sure if it is just one or both of them.)

Does crowing mean the rooster has reached maturity? Is this early for a rooster to crow? If the rooster is crowing, does that mean the hens of the same age are ready to start laying? If not, how long after do the eggs follow? I was told that the hens should lay at about 20 weeks, so I am a long way from that, but want to get the nesting box ready if needed.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[PotterWatch]

The rooster crowing has nothing to do with the pullets being ready to lay. I have seen video of little roosters trying to crow as early as a couple weeks old. Your girls will probably lay around the average age. Some might be earlier and some might be later, but I don't think you need to worry about nest boxes for at least another six weeks.

 

[rebecca10782]

Quote:
No, they will sometimes attempt to crow a long time before they become mature roosters. The first attempts are the cutest

They are pretty squeaky

Crowing has nothing to do with laying. You will know when your girls are laying because they will start walking around singing and acting very odd. Some are subtle and some are very loud about it. But, you will know. You should get the nest boxes ready awhile before they are due to lay so that they can get used to them.

 

[gritsar]

My alpha roo crowed at 10 weeks old. My first pullet to lay did so at 19 weeks. No connection between the two.

 

[ranchhand]

I saw the title "Crowing Rooster-When will I have eggs?" and thought NEVER, roosters don't lay eggs!

And I agree, rooster crowing doesn't mean much in terms of hens starting to lay- all it does here is annoy them.

 

[bigtooks]

when you go into your coop and see little round nest spots on the floor...then your hens are probably gettin ready to start laying...better get the nest box up!!

 

[KYChick-a-doodle-doo]

Thanks everyone for your help. Sounds like I have some time to get the nesting boxes in order and I guess I will continue to wait patiently for my eggs.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. There is no connection between the two. Most of mine started to lay at 20 to 24 weeks.

 

[Big dreams]

Quote:
Same went through my mind!!

And I agree with everyone else.

 

[sunket77]

oh! my hens have started to do that on the floor of the coop and the run! (make little nest circles) maybe it will be soon!