how old is old enough to mate?

[Gibbons7660]

So my 3 month old red pyle old english game bantam has started doing the deed with the hen grind the same age. Probably 3 or 4 times a day. I'm just curious if this is normal behavior since they aren't that old.

 

[Den in Penn]

Often they will mate a few weeks before they are fully mature. Twelve weeks is on the young side, but different breeds and the individuals mature at different rates.

 

[donrae]

I agree, it's on the young side, but not really too far out of line, especially for a young rooster with no competition.

 

[Gibbons7660]

Well he started doin it yesterday when I introduced 3 New 18 week old roosters to the flock. I have 24 chickens in my flock now. Most range in age from 2 weeks to 6 weeks but I have 3 bantams all 12-13 weeks old 1 hen and 2 roos. (Had a lot more hens but thanks to a ballsy hawk only have one left) so he has some competition. Also this particular rooster is very mean to all other chickens including the 3 New tipsters who are like 6 times his size.