What Age to Start "Collecting" a Male for Artificial Insemination

[AlpineSpringsRanch]

I just purchased a Splash Ameraucana Rooster for my girls. He's just coming on 5 months old and already "trying" to breed but the older hens don't normally allow him to mount. I am experienced with AI for horses, pigs, and cows so figure why not chickens. From what I have researched on here it seems like it isn't extraordinarily difficult. And might even help me keep more of the girls in my big coop and let the boys free range all day (they all get along).

That being said, if I were to start "collecting" him, should he be fertile at this age?

Also, I have heard different things used for the insemination i.e. pipettes / glass eye droppers. What is the easiest to manage? I'll be by myself for the most part.

I would prefer to inseminate two females per day (or more if it is possible)...I'm just not sure how plausible that is. What is the average number of hens that can be inseminated per collection?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated

 

[Debbi]

I'd say give him a bit more time, and he'll be doing it on his own. If he's chasing the hens, and 5 months old, he is sexually capable. The hens just need to get used to the idea of a new young upstart. They'll warm up to him in time, or if not, he will take them anyway. If you insist on doing AI, there are more than likely many threads about it on BYC, so a search for it in the search box at the top right of every page. There are also quite a few clips on You Tube about it.