Premature Rooster?

[Liesa]

Hey there!

One of our Roosters started having sex with the hens recently, yet he is only 12 1/2 weeks old. I have never seen that happening so fast, usually they tend to get older before they try such things. Yesterday, I have seen him 3 times in action, which made me wonder whether such an behaviour is "normal" and "okay". I guess it depends very much on the chicken breed - he's a Bielefelder and we haven't had those before. Yet I remember that I heard its not good when roosters start doing those things in such an early age (but don't know where I heard that). When do your roosters start their business?

Regards, Liesa

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

Huh, that is early. Mine normally start mounting around 4-5 months, sometimes later. Are the hens/pullets laying? I wouldn't be concerned unless he's mounting immature females.

 

[tizabel_]

Hey there!

One of our Roosters started having sex with the hens recently, yet he is only 12 1/2 weeks old. I have never seen that happening so fast, usually they tend to get older before they try such things. Yesterday, I have seen him 3 times in action, which made me wonder whether such an behaviour is "normal" and "okay". I guess it depends very much on the chicken breed - he's a Bielefelder and we haven't had those before. Yet I remember that I heard its not good when roosters start doing those things in such an early age (but don't know where I heard that). When do your roosters start their business?

Regards, Liesa

I don’t think it’s anything to worry about, mine started mounting the hens at around 12-14 weeks too. His hormones really kicked in for a couple of weeks but then he calmed down and doesn’t do it nearly as often. He also started crowing unusually early but he’s very healthy so I don’t think much of it.

 

[Folly's place]

Cockerel get interested at different ages, all normal. They mature sooner than pullets the same age, which isn't so good if there are no hens or roosters to straighten them out. Are you talking about pullets his age, or actual hens, who would be over one year of age?
Mary