Does a roo mate with a pullet only when they're ready to lay?

[Eggs4Sale]

I have a 4-month-old roo that's been a real ladies man with the 8 month old laying hens. He hasn't bothered the other 4 month old hens, just shown them where the food is and kept a watchful eye on them. Today, for the first time, he grabbed one of the 4 month old hens (a white Rock) and mated with her (she LOVED it, can you believe it?).

Does this mean she's going to lay an egg tomorrow, or very soon? (please say yes, please say yes, please, please, please!!!)

 

[MariposaMama]

I am not the most experienced chicken owner here, but from what I've seen with my own flock, once the roo takes an interest, the hen has started to lay within two or three weeks. I just saw my Cochin roo get hold of my little Hamburg the other afternoon, so now I'm really on the lookout for little white eggs. Happy egg hunting!

 

[Eggs4Sale]

TWO OR THREE WEEKS!!!

But thank you!

 

[ging3rhoffman]

That sounds about right. 2 to 3 weeks will just blow by..especially when you are waiting and waiting and waiting for that egg to come.

 

[DTchickens]

Most of the time, pullets will only allow it when they are ready.. Otherwise the rooster will just have to chase/corner and maybe beat on her a little.. She could lay tomorrow, or the next day, or whenever.. Just because you saw it today doesn't mean it's the first time it happened

.

 

[shawnm2639]

My hens are not so accepting of the roos attentions...my sister saw them the other day and she yelled at me " Hey that roosters hurting that hen!!!!" I had to laugh. Apparently even though we have had peafowl for ages running around the farm she never saw 'the act'. But it is good to know my time of crawling around under the house looking for eggs may come to an end. Really hoping they lay in the coop...or better yet in the frig. I have a hen that comes in the house and sits behind the parrots cage all day. I think she likes the cooler.

 

[speckledhen]

The answer is yes and no. I have seen mating behavior in cockerels at about 8 weeks old-no way an 8 week old pullet will be laying soon. And then, I've seen my BR rooster treat all pullets like daughters up till about 16-17 weeks old, then they suddenly begin to notice them and flirt.

 

[Eggs4Sale]

Okay, so if I find an egg in the nest that is smaller than the black star's, can I assume it is the White Rocks, or can the Black Stars suddenly start laying smaller eggs???

 

[shay20]

Ummmm nooooo, A roo or cockerel will mate when ever they please, even if the pullet or hen dont want to. LOL

SEVERAL TIMES A DAY,

 

[shay20]

Quote:

They flirt like crazy crazy crazy, LOL