When is a rooster/cockrel able to do his duty?

[the_chicken_ranch]

I ahve a young barred rock cockrel who is going to be my replacement "flocksire" but am curious when he will be able to perform? I am contemplating selling the current roo if this one will be able to replace him soon. The youngster was born in March of 07.
Liana

 

[chickenlady]

I've had fertility from cockerals at about 6-7 months old. But then again, I've never checked any earlier.

 

[the_chicken_ranch]

Do they "know what to do" at that age? Hwo soon could I expect him to fertilize eggs? I'm trying to say this as politely as possible! lol

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

Hey, first of all welcome to the asylum!

Not sure about the rooster thing but have heard that it takes a year to go from cockeral to rooster,

I thought "the chicken ranch" was in Lagrange!

Randy

 

[the_chicken_ranch]

Blame the name the chicken ranch on my husband. Leave it to a man to name us after a brothel!

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

go figer!

 

[peeps7]

well most people say around five months but I have some 13-14 week olds already "practicing" their job.

 

[Blisschick]

I've found that usually around 5 mos. or so, if they're not in competition with older males, they'll start trying to do their business. I'm not sure how they know...I've never seen an older roo take one aside and give them "the talk".

 

[chickenlady]

Are you sure he is not doing anything with the ladies? Or have you just not SEEN it? I would think that by now he was having his way with them, so to speak, lol. Even the most timid of my young cockerals would grab one of the girls for some fun, the pecking order didnt seem to matter.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

I'm in agreement with ChickenLady. I've had my cockerals since March and I've got fertile eggs out the wazoo along with 11 hatchlings to prove it!

See my post on Barnyard Specials in the raising baby chicks section.