Is rooster too young to mate??

[Perla_Berlanga24]

My hens and roosters are almost 3 months old. I've seen the rooster mounting the hens already. Is it too soon for them to start mating? He does it kind of aggressively at times. & also by him being too aggressive can he kill the hen? I recently lost one of hens out of no where. All of them are all healthy. I have no idea what happened to it. Any advice?

 

[aart]

At 3 months you have pullets and cockerels.

The males will become sexually mature before the females and try to dominate and/or mate them. If multiple males are present it can be worse. Yes, the females can be injured.

Here's great perspective on cockerels:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/rooster-causing-trouble.939630/#post-14406557

 

[Folly's place]

As aart said, he's being a randy adolescent, with no mature birds to keep him in line. Cockerels raised with adult hens and roosters learn to be polite and humble, and are easier to raise. Your pullets are the same age, and that's difficult right now.
If actual injuries are occurring, separate them, and move him on. Otherwise, plenty of space, hiding areas, and things to do will all help.
Mary

 

[Beccazon]

Here's great perspective on cockerels:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/rooster-causing-trouble.939630/#post-14406557

Excellent share! Here I was just asking what to do about my mean lil jerk of a cockerel and find that he is just a hormonal teenager! So glad I went searching about mating behavior!! I was concerned that with 3 cockerels and only one being overly aggressive that I had a bad seed when, after watching him closely yesterday, I realized it appeared to be more of a mating behavior so I have been researching (I swear research is never endind). This answered my questions fully! I think my lil meanie just needs to be separated from my gals for a few months or rehomed as I have 2 others with better behavior. He clearly has more hormones than he can control and may be one to do damage until he matures. Thank you for posting this link! And thank you to the OP for posting the question! Now...anyone in the Michigan Thumb want an immature, hormonal 3 month old Leghorn? Lmao

 

[aart]

as I have 2 others with better behavior.

It's hard to judge true behaviors with multiple males in residence.
The best cockbird I've had was menace to the girls when the other males came of age.
I removed the other males and he calmed down immediately, I mean like within
minutes. Best lesson I've had about dealing with male birds.

 

[Folly's place]

I like to watch, and wait, before deciding on the birds to keep. I do eliminate any who cause injuries, or threaten me, and I've seen these behaviors as early as eight weeks! Those nasty little guys did not improve over time, and it was another lesson learned.
Otherwise, just wait and see...
Also, think about which cockerels will be best for your flock genetically, if you plan to raise chicks.
Mary

 

[Beccazon]

I have a mix. And we presume my leghorn is a mutt as well as my 2 BSL/rainbow looking/someone said brahma mutt. So no pure blood lol. My RIR pullets and brahma pullets appear pure. So...

 

[Folly's place]

It's not unreasonable to keep one as a flock rooster this year, and raise some straight run Brahma chicks in spring, (or now!) and evaluate any cockerels out of that group as a breeder. Cockerels raised with mature hens and a rooster are often better behaved...
Mary

 

[Beccazon]

If I am just keeping chickens for enjoyment and for eggs until they eventually become only meat useful, is it ok to let them randomly cross breed? Is there a point when "inbreeding" becomes entirely unwanted? I would think if I keep one cockerel now as a "flock roo", then choose a preferred breed next spring, I could then begin breeding pure in another coop. (Haha I can make this an excuse for more chickens!!) I am truly interested to see what my black/rainbow/mutt crosses turn out with various gals here. But of the breeds of pullets I have...RIRs, Brahmas, an assumed BSL, my RIRs are by FAR the most friendly, chill and least skittish. So unless I raise more breeds to learn them better, those would be my go to for pure breeding. And I DO look forward to having grown hens to raise a decent cockerel next year! I had no clue that mattered until researching yesterday.

 

[aart]

is it ok to let them randomly cross breed? Is there a point when "inbreeding" becomes entirely unwanted?

Yep.
....and breeding parent to offspring is safe for more than a few generations, sibling crossings can cause trouble sooner. Look up linebvreeding.

Using the same cock bird for a few years then upbringing in one for new blood is a good idea.