Roos mounting hens at young age

[KBNAZ]

I have a flock of mixed ages. We have 3 one year old hens. We have 3 15 week old Easter Eggers, two of which have turned out to be roos. The two roos have started mounting the only 15 week old female. It seems like they are young for this and she is smaller than them. They stay away from the older hens who are top of the pecking order. We also have 7 other young 7 week old pullets in a grow out cage inside the same run. I was hoping to have enough hens to keep both roos. Sadly one of them seems to be a roo too (see pic of the handsome young fella). Should I be doing anything about the mating behavior, or is it normal? When should I be concerned or separate them? I’m probably going to have to get rid of one or two roos I guess.

 

[Artichoke Lover]

10 hens total is only enough to keep one cockerel. You also should separate them from the 15 week old hen so she doesn’t get overbred. And yes this is a normal age for this to start. Some of mine have started as early as 13 weeks.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

They’ll usually start at around 16-25+ weeks In my experience. Usually 10 would only be enough for one rooster/cockerel, but I’ve had 5-8 be enough for a single mature rooster.

 

[Vickischics]

I have a flock of mixed ages. We have 3 one year old hens. We have 3 15 week old Easter Eggers, two of which have turned out to be roos. The two roos have started mounting the only 15 week old female. It seems like they are young for this and she is smaller than them. They stay away from the older hens who are top of the pecking order. We also have 7 other young 7 week old pullets in a grow out cage inside the same run. I was hoping to have enough hens to keep both roos. Sadly one of them seems to be a roo too (see pic of the handsome young fella). Should I be doing anything about the mating behavior, or is it normal? When should I be concerned or separate them? I’m probably going to have to get rid of one or two roos I guess.

He is Gorgeous!! What breed is he? I love his comb.
I don't have a rooster so, my opinion doesn't really count except I've read here on BYC it's best to have 1:10 hens with 10sq ft each bird in the run and 4-5sq ft in the coop.
If you don't have this Sq. Footage for your flock, you should make other plans for your cockerel.
Otherwise, you chance having a beat up battered girl with being over mated 10-30 times a day!!!
But, that's what Cockerels do, that's they're job. Plus watch over the flock.
10-30 times a day!!! Don't tell my husband that!!! Lol

 

[KBNAZ]

He is Gorgeous!! What breed is he? I love his comb.
I don't have a rooster so, my opinion doesn't really count except I've read here on BYC it's best to have 1:10 hens with 10sq ft each bird in the run and 4-5sq ft in the coop.
If you don't have this Sq. Footage for your flock, you should make other plans for your cockerel.
Otherwise, you chance having a beat up battered girl with being over mated 10-30 times a day!!!
But, that's what Cockerels do, that's they're job. Plus watch over the flock.
10-30 times a day!!! Don't tell my husband that!!! Lol

Thank you. This roo is a Crevecauer

 

[aart]

15 weeks is prime time for cockerels to start mounting assertively.
Just started here....freezer camp tomorrow.
Multiple males create an environment of competition,
often making all them behave at their worst.

I was hoping to have enough hens to keep both roos.

The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.

It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.

Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc ....short term and/or long term.

It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.

Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.