How Young Is Too Young to Mate?

[Chebird]

My two three month old roosters have started to mount my pullets. It's quick, but violent. The pullets range from five to twelve weeks old. There are fifteen pullets. Will this hurt the pullets? The roosters are doing this to the smallest pullets.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would remove those boys for now. It will cause the pullets lots of stress which they don't need at their age.

 

[aart]

My two three month old roosters have started to mount my pullets.

3 months...like 12 weeks, or closer to 16 weeks??
Totally normal.
This the time I put them on the grill.
Now's the time to decide if you still want to keep male birds.
I'd separate one or both asap, then decide if you want to keep one or none.

 

[Molpet]

They will hurt the pullets.. separate now

 

[The Moonshiner]

12 week old cockerels (especially when more than one involved) can kill 5 or 6 week old pullets while engaging in this behavior.
I break every rule about keeping multiple roosters, keeping too many roosters per hen, etc etc but my number one rule is pay attention to young pullets because cockerels/roosters can and have killed them trying to breed.

 

[Kris5902]

Does anyone have an approximate age at which it would be appropriate to reintroduce them? I’m looking at a similar situation with my 7 mo old boys and their future lady friends who are only 7 weeks right now? Length of time needed on the separation might influence the OP’s decision on keeping one or both. And with that 7 week spread between the age groups, depending on the numbers could the boys maybe go in with the older pullets?

 

[Parront]

X 2 on annoying cockerels. They need to have a "Boys Club" teenage bachelor pad or they will harass the young pullets, sometimes even kill them. Some who have older hens will put the "keeper" rooster in with them to learn some manners.

 

[aart]

Does anyone have an approximate age at which it would be appropriate to reintroduce them?

Depends on the birds involved........try, observe, and assess.