When can roosters..... you know

[WhiteCochinLover]

When can roosters mate?

 

[Nostalchic]

It depends on the breed, some are slower maturing than others (big breeds: Brahmas for instance, or Jerseys) but most standard sized breeds start showing interest and working on it by 4-5 months (also crowing a lot, doing little dances for the hens, etc., very cute). Some are precocious and get into it a little earlier...

 

[Illia]

Actually slower maturing breeds still usually can mate around the same time production-bred breeds to, the hens just don't lay as early.


Most can start to mate by 21-32 weeks of age, but it does vary. Even production breeds, hatchery strains included, can mature slower than others.

 

[WhiteCochinLover]

He is maybe 4 months and he is a bantam cochin...

 

[pgpoultry]

It also depends upon whether you have other roos around. If there is a dominant male, the young guns won't mate early (or at least not whilst alpha male is around!).

I currently have 25 week old Brahma boys who show no sign of mating as I have several other adult males. My 28 week old NN X Brahma mates with any and everything as he is such a fast runner, but he only ever crows when he is a very long distance from the 'king pins'.

 

[al6517]

Quote:
You have plenty of time left, I wouldn't incubate or collect egg's from him till spring if you want to use him.