Do roosters know which hens are about to lay?

[blessedchickenmama7]

I only have one RIR laying and she is the only one my roo mated until a few days ago. I saw him with the BO who looks most mature of the three of them. So I expect her to lay soon.

 

[Portia]

When I have pullets nearing POL, my main rooster will start showing them nesting spots. I'll see him disappear into the coop and find him fluffing up a nest box, then he'll go out and make a show to the ladies. If one of the young pullets goes into the coop he's right there showing her the real estate. The only time I see him behaving like this is when I have young pullets near POL, otherwise he's ranging with the rest of the flock taking turns in rooster duties with the other boys.

 

[momreda]

I have a 13 week old BR pullet. Yesterday my roo mounted her. She is very red in face and comb but IMO way to young to start laying. My roo usually only does this to the one that is laying so I am confused also. I was happy to see this thread but I don't know if it helps me since mine is young.

 

[Chicken Strut]

Just looking here for answers. First time I've had a rooster in this young flock of 7, and so far he has "predicted" each new egg layer by mating with her just before she lays her first egg. Before that - no interest. He is the same age as the pullets.

Another interesting thing - one of my older hens (3-1/2 years) started laying when she came out of her molt this year and the days were already quite short. Usually she's on break until sometime in February. I never saw my rooster boy mate with this one but after her first 2-3 unfertilized eggs after the molt appeared, I started noticing that her eggs had been fertilized.