When can a rooster fertilize eggs? how old?

[Minky]

I have a CLB hen who is 2.5 and now I have a CLB cockerel. He is 10 weeks. As soon as he is old enough I would like to hatch a small batch of chicks. When do you think I can put them together?

thanks

 

[The Backyard Bantams]

How old is your flock, and what breeds? If they are smaller and younger it would probably be okay to put him in once he’s mostly grown at 4 to 6 months. If you have a large flock of aggressive or bigger hens I would wait until he is fully grown and very strong. I’m not sure at what age Roos can breed...

 

[MarkJr]

Pretty sure the cockerel will be old enough to successfully mate her after she thoroughly whips his butt, teaches him manners, and turns him into a proper gentleman.

I’d say 4-5 months.

 

[Minky]

I dont want him to be the rooster to my flock, just a one to one breeding. Like in a small breeding pen for a few days....
4-5 months? not sooner?

 

[The Backyard Bantams]

I dont want him to be the rooster to my flock, just a one to one breeding. Like in a small breeding pen for a few days....
4-5 months? not sooner?

I searched it up, 4-5 months is a good age. I have a cockerel who is almost 7 months and is still not crowing or acting quite like a rooster. I’m not allowed to keep roos so I’ll have to rehome him when he crows.

 

[MarkJr]

I dont want him to be the rooster to my flock, just a one to one breeding. Like in a small breeding pen for a few days....
4-5 months? not sooner?

The rooster has two options.

Force her. Which requires him to be bigger than she is. Still not saying she will raise her tail to touch.

Woo her. It’s like I describe above.

If it were cattle, I’d tell you to dump them together when she’s at 26 days and pull him when she’s at 30. Wait 28 and see if she comes back in.

Chickens operate way different.