When are roosters mature?

[littlelemon]

I have two roos right now that are 16 weeks old. I have noticed them jumping on top of the hens for several weeks now, but I was wondering when they would actually be old enough to fertilize an egg?

 

[silkiechicken]

They can probably fertilize an egg now, just that chances they are actually getting the hens are low. I would wait till they are at least 7 months old just to make sure they got the process down and they aren't shooting blanks. The girls should mature some too as you want to make sure eggs are of a sufficient size and being produced right before trying to incubate them.

 

[littlelemon]

Thanks! I'm not trying to hatch any chicks, I'm just wondering when that could be a possibility