First time rooster owner. . . what to expect

[tfis4life]

Well surprise, surprise we finally got a rooster instead of the pullet we were expecting from the feed store! Really it is about time as this is our 3rd "flock". The newbies are just going on 18 weeks and I was wondering when the our RIR rooster would start mating with the girls? He has just started grabbing the neck feathers of our BO who is the same age and just started squatting for me today, but leaves the older hens (2 years) alone.

I just purchased an incubator that I found at a yard sale and am hoping to get a few eggs to hatch before we have to get rid of our roo. We are not allowed to have roosters where we live, but he has yet to crow so I am hoping to hold out til he is fertile. Also when will he likely start crowing? Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!!

 

[RWise]

He will start crowing on his own time, I have read here as soon as 5 days old. I have had Roo's that did not crow ever (maybe the older bigger bird did not allow it) I have a two month old that is grabbing his nest mates already (ok 2 of them),, and an almost 6 month old that is now the head Roo in his flock (since 4 months old). I love to watch him standing in a group of almost 2 week old chicks talking to them and feeding them, they have no mother hen over them and they have been in the flock since 2 days old and free range since 4 days old) Is he fertile yet?? IDK but he is doing the job, all my girls in this flock are young (2 weeks to almost a year old so I will not be setting eggs from them for another year or 2). In another flock I have a very verbal year old Roo, He leads his hens around and stands guard over them while they eat. He also got them out of the coop late one night when a predator came in, and woke me up. I killed the posum, turned the light on and went in inspected the coop and took the girls back to roost! He also feeds the chicks in his area (3 cocks and a pullet SLW's about 6 weeks old)
Luv my Roo's
Good luck!!