Rooster old enough to mate?

[SevenChix4Me]

I just received a Marans rooster and hen to add to my flock within the last week. She said he hadn't crowed yet. He crowed two days after I got him and this morning I saw him mount a hen. I thought he was too young for this. I think she said he and the hen are just around 12 weeks old. I can't remember for certain so I emailed her to confirm the age. If he is old enough to crow and mount the hens does that mean the hen that came with him is old enough to start laying eggs soon or is he just practicing?
She said they were hatched out at the same time. I haven't seen any eggs from the hen yet though.

 

[Dutchess]

Sorry, I don't know much about roosters, but I do know that the hen will not lay until she is between 16-20 weeks old. But that won't stop the rooster, he's practicing for the real thing! Good luck with them!

 

[teach1rusl]

At that age he's "practicing," since no 12 week old is near laying age. She will most likely begin laying somewhere near the 20 week mark, maybe a week or two before...maybe 2 or 3 weeks after. And as for crowing, some little guys crow at just a few weeks of age.

 

[SevenChix4Me]

Thank you! She emailed me back that they are just 11 weeks old now. So he won't be able to fertilize the other hens that are currently laying for another couple months either?

 

[shellybean40]

My 12 week old EE Roo, is madly in love with my bantam cochins. He is constantly mating them, much to their dismay. I was wondering if he was capable of fertilizing their eggs also.