Mating compared to first laying?

[BBQJOE]

Is there any correlation to the two?

Does the rooster detect fertility in the hens before they start laying, or maybe after? Or is there any link between the two?
Just curious. Pesto hasn't climbed up on any of his girls yet, but I'm just wondering if he'll give any indication that the hens will start laying soon.


I want that first egg dagnabbit!

 

[Ameraucanas]

She will most likely start laying at about 20 years old.

 

[BBQJOE]

She will most likely start laying at about 20 years old.

That's a heck of a long wait.
My two daughters started way before that.


Oh well.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I'm starting to think mating prolongs the wait for first egg. Undo stress, non laying pullets aren't as submissive. That's the only correlation of mating and first eggs I can think of.

Males mature a good month before the pullets. I'm sure your Pesto is doing the deed when your not watching. They are similar to teenagers in many regards.

 

[BBQJOE]

I'm starting to think mating prolongs the wait for first egg. Undo stress, non laying pullets aren't as submissive. That's the only correlation of mating and first eggs I can think of.

Males mature a good month before the pullets. I'm sure your Pesto is doing the deed when your not watching. They are similar to teenagers in many regards.

I'm retired, and keep an eye on things all day. He has not mounted yet, unless he's at it at night in the coop, but I think they're too busy playing poker.

 

[aart]

If the male is an adult over a year old and not randy young cockerel...then yes, there is a correlation...sometimes.
They know when the pullets become sexually mature and will mate them.....but....they also will mount them as a dominance behavior before they may actually be sexually mature.

I'm retired too and observe a lot....it was interesting this summer to watch the mature cockbird interact with 2 groups of pullets that were 2 months apart in age.
Woody was dominating(make them submit and sometimes mount) but would not actually mate ('cloacal kiss') them.
Would actually mate them a week or two before I started seeing eggs.

Young cockerel, same age as pullets, will start jumping them way before they are ready.