Rooster

[CHICKENFARMER22]

I had got a 4 month old barred rock rooster a week ago. He has been with all of my hens and he doesn't crow or even mate yet. Actually, when he goes near the hens, the hens chase him off. Will he eventually crow and mate? Or will he forever be afraid and not do either??

 

[trailrider330]

Depending on what source you are looking at, most cockerels reach sexual maturity between 4-6 months of age. Since your cockerel is only 4 months old, and is the "odd man out" since he is new to the flock, I would give him a little more time yet.

Also, do you have any other roosters? Sometimes younger, less dominant roosters will not crow or mate (as often) as a more dominant roo. So, if you have other roos, or he came from somewhere where he was not dominant, it may take him a little time to get with the program.

 

[CHICKENFARMER22]

Depending on what source you are looking at, most cockerels reach sexual maturity between 4-6 months of age.  Since your cockerel is only 4 months old, and is the "odd man out" since he is new to the flock, I would give him a little more time yet. 

Also, do you have any other roosters?  Sometimes younger, less dominant roosters will not crow or mate (as often) as a more dominant roo. So, if you have other roos, or he came from somewhere where he was not dominant, it may take him a little time to get with the program.

I have one other rooster. It is a blue silkie but it runs away from my barred rock. And it also runs away from my hens so I'm not worried about him. When would you expect me to hear him crow and mate??

 

[junebuggena]

It's not unusual for a rooster to wait till after 8 months old to crow. The hens probably won't let him start mating for several more months yet. Just be patient. He still needs to grow up, learn how to be a good rooster, and gain the hens' trust and respect.

 

[CHICKENFARMER22]

It's not unusual for a rooster to wait till after 8 months old to crow. The hens probably won't let him start mating for several more months yet. Just be patient. He still needs to grow up, learn how to be a good rooster, and gain the hens' trust and respect.

Okay thanks so much!

 

[CHICKENFARMER22]

It's not unusual for a rooster to wait till after 8 months old to crow. The hens probably won't let him start mating for several more months yet. Just be patient. He still needs to grow up, learn how to be a good rooster, and gain the hens' trust and respect.

If you were to guess, at what age do you think he will mate?? I guess I'm just worries because I got this rooster so that o could get fertile eggs to hatch chicks. And I'm thinking that he'll never mate or that it will take a long time. I hope he starts mating soon. Tonight he chased my EE and grabbed her tail feather with his beak but then she got away.

 

[junebuggena]

At least another 2 to 4 months. If he's a really fast learner, then maybe sooner. He's all raging teenage hormones right now. It will take time for him to settle in and figure out how to get those girls to hold still and let him do his 'thing.'

 

[CHICKENFARMER22]

At least another 2 to 4 months. If he's a really fast learner, then maybe sooner. He's all raging teenage hormones right now. It will take time for him to settle in and figure out how to get those girls to hold still and let him do his 'thing.'

Okay. So he'll definitely mate sometime?

 

[trailrider330]

I wouldn't worry. He will do what comes natural when he is mature enough.

 

[CHICKENFARMER22]

I wouldn't worry.  He will do what comes natural when he is mature enough.

Okay thanks so much