Will a cockerel speed up egg laying in a pullet?

[backinthecoop45]

Hi, we are new to roosters (cockerels) in our flock and we were wondering, when he mates, even though they are all only around 3-4 months old, will that cause the pullet to start laying early since he will fertilize their eggs?

 

[Saint_ Marwenne_Chickens]

I'm pretty sure that that will not happen if you add a cockerel.

 

[Askme42]

Hi, we are new to roosters (cockerels) in our flock and we were wondering, when he mates, even though they are all only around 3-4 months old, will that cause the pullet to start laying early since he will fertilize their eggs?

Well if they aren't laying there aren't any eggs to fertilize...

 

[backinthecoop45]

Well if they aren't laying there aren't any eggs to fertilize...

Right but will the mating and transfer of 'fluids' cause the pullet to start laying early?

 

[Askme42]

Right but will the mating and transfer of 'fluids' cause the pullet to start laying early?

No

 

[backinthecoop45]

Ok. Great to know. Thank you very much and have a good day!

 

[Nupe]

It is worth mentioning that depending on how many pullets you have and how "amorous" the cockerel is, he could be stressing the hens and slowing the process.

 

[Patinas]

I recently re-homed my cockerel but when I had him, I noticed that unless a hen was already laying, he left them alone. Once they started though, he was always hanging with the layers.

I have one hen that was getting close to laying and she kept flirting with him I swear!. She would hang out with him, follow him, nudge him and squat but he completely ignored her. He was definitely only interested in the two that were consistently laying.

 

[aart]

I recently re-homed my cockerel but when I had him, I noticed that unless a hen was already laying,

Cockerel(under a year old) or cockbird(over a year)??
How old was this bird?
A good, mature cockbird will leave them alone until they are ready to lay,
it's one of the best indicators of when a pullet is about to start laying.

A very young cockerel 4-7 months usually tried to mount any bird in sight.

It is worth mentioning that depending on how many pullets you have and how "amorous" the cockerel is, he could be stressing the hens and slowing the process.

Ditto Dat^^^

 

[Patinas]

@aart

Mine was a cockerel, only 5 months old. I never saw him jump on any hen that wasn't yet laying. His new owner told me he's seen the same behavior so far with his flock of 17 hens which he got this spring.

It's entirely possible he was jumping on some of the others but I keep a close eye on my flock and he clearly had his two favorite ladies that were laying. They were like the 3 amigos and pretty much were always together when out of the run.