Rooster age and mortality of chicks

[Faraz1]

So i know the hens age is important when it comes to hatching eggs. As per my research and experience one should not start to incubate eggs as soon as the hen starts laying but should wait a few months as initial eggs may be double yolkers and also may be smaller than usual. This results in underdeveloped chicks which fail to thrive once they hatch.

I know one breeder who uses the first year of eggs from a hen for eating, second year for eating and hatching and third year cull the hen or keep her around as a pet only.

However how about when it comes to a young rooster ? Does one have to wait till the rooster is fully mature ? Or is he good enough to use as a breeder once he starts mating with the hens successfully?

 

[nuthatched]

If I were to seriously breed, I would wait until my boy was about 10 months old to see about his temperament, body type, colors etc works for what I'm going for. Especially if I was working purebred for the SOP.
BUT I'm unaware of any real reasons not to incubate eggs sired by a young cock.