True or false??

[Trevorusn]

Ok, I have heard from a few sources that if you want your cockerels to get tall/big you should not let them mate until they are much older, otherwise they will not grow to full potential. Any truth to this or is it all a myth??

 

[sourland]

Myth. Mating doesn't take that much energy.

 

[Mrs. K]

agree^^ with above poster. Height is due to genetics and maybe some nutrition issues, but mostly genetics.

 

[Trevorusn]

I figured so, but every so often when talking about bigger breeds like Brahmas and JGs this idea constantly pops up, and I have never seen it supported but folks are adamant it is true for whatever reason.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I really don't think there's any truth to that at all. I'm calling b.s. on that one lol

 

[Ridgerunner]

Do you have a link to that which you can share? It might be fun reading and I usually like to try to get the context of those statements.

But I agree with the others. Whether they are allowed to mate will make no difference in how they grow. If there is something different about how they are housed or fed to keep them from mating, that might make a difference, but the actual mating is insignificant. That would be a correlation, not a cause.

 

[Trevorusn]

So this was the latest, I'll see if I can find the other ones from other various sites.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Thanks. I do not see anything that relates to context at all. I still consider that to be false.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I think it's a myth for sure. Harvey grew and he had full access to the girls! He's a Jersey Giant and is twice the size of the hens, but they love him! They fight and knock each other off to be able to roost next to him!

 

[Trevorusn]

So, I guess the big question is how did such an idea begin??? It makes no sense yet there are those who subscribe to it. Any other strange poulty myths out there?