My EE's are 10 weeks old, could they be mating?

[Break an Egg]

DH said he saw the rooster mounting the hens, could he be mating? They aren't even laying yet.

 

[arlee453]

Cockerels mature earlier than the pullets often. At this point he's basically practicing - most girls aren't really interested until much closer to egg laying age - around 20 weeks give or take.

But, if you have an 'outgoing' roo, he'll grab their necks and give it a try anyway...

 

[Rte.66_chicks]

My five-week-old EE crowed today, really surprised me. I wasn't entirely sure he was a he, but that confirmed it. I hope he doesn't start mounting the the pullets that are the same age. They must mature pretty fast, my ten-week-old SLW cockerels just started crowing.

 

[patandchickens]

One of my 4.5-wk-old Golden Campines (which have all along been quite precocious) has taken to jumping onto others' backs (both sexes). I think he thinks he's going to mate with them. They just buck him off and chase him around. Teenage experimentation

Pat