How old do Roos need to be to be fertile?

[Germaine_11.20]

Hi!

I have some Roo's who are about 3-4 months old in with my laying flock. I am getting fertile eggs. How young is the youngest that you have had roosters mate?

I haven't been able to catch anyone in the act so I don't know who it is! Thanks

 

[Cats Critters]

I think mine where about 15 weeks old when they started to mate with hens.

 

[joletabey]

Does that mean they are fertile once they start mating?

 

[Cats Critters]

I'm not sure and I'm not finding anything when I did a search, anyone else know?

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Well rats, I know that the Silkies are older than that but I never saw them mating any hens. Sneaky little fuzz balls. It has to be them, one chick has feathered legs and my Marans weren't in there. Hmmm. Thanks!

 

[KDbeads]

I have a roo that was hatched on 9/23/09, had fertile eggs from his pen on 2/24/10. So that's ... 22 weeks. Have 5 eggs from his pen in the bator right now that should hatch this weekend.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Thank you, that helps narrow it down. I wondered if I some very precosious Roo young ones in there. But, it must be those silkies. They are small and I didn't think they could "connect" with the larger ladies. But they are the only ones in there that are old enough.

But I have never seen any of them try to breed. Ever.

 

[Katy]

I imagine it really depends on the breed.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

I think it would be very interesting to find out. And helpful.

I think I finally have everyone seperated well enough. I hate to put the little roos in the bachelor coop. The pecking order can be brutal to the little fellas.

It's only the layers coop and most of the hens in there I don't plan to breed but I sell the eggs for eating and would prefer no bulls eyes.