Rooster age for fertile eggs

[SewingMom]

My rooster was born April 21, he is crowing, and I saw him mounting one of the hens today. From what I've read most of the time he needs to be close to 6 months before he will fertilize the eggs but those articles also said the roosters wouldn't crow until close to 6 months. I thought I saw a bulls eye spot on one of the egg yolks but I'm just not sure if I wanted it to be there or if it really was

So my question is, can he be fertile if he is only 3 1/2 months old?

Thanks in advance!

 

[sweeterdeeter42]

I think it depends on the breed. What kind is he? My Cuckoo Marans rooster is 2 months old and crows all of the time, but he hasnt tried to mate with the pullet that he is with yet.

 

[Kaeta44]

I agree, it depends on the breed. My Araucana bantam cockerel was sexually active long before my older Poland bantam cockerel knew one end of a hen from the other. Once the Poland was well into the routine and knew what he was doing, we kept some eggs which we thought were fertile and put them under a couple of broody hens, but didn't get one chick.


http://muckycluckers.blogspot.com/

 

[JodyJo]

My EE roos are 18 weeks and have been busy for at least a week or so...

 

[SewingMom]

I have no idea what breed he is lol. I'll take a picture of him later today and maybe someone will know.
So are you saying that if he is sexually active then he is fertile?

 

[debid]

According to my book, fertility is achieved at roughly 5-6 months. However, there are situations like heavy feathering on the rump that interfere and in those situations, it can take longer. Possibly, good fertility won't be achieved without artificial means or a different rooster. There are just a whole lot of ifs.

Also, a young cockerel can try to mate with a pullet but not succeed in actually getting the job done. So, seeing him attempt with frequency doesn't necessarily = fertile. My EE cockerel is 16 weeks and has been active for the past two but his first week mostly resulted in pulled neck feathers while he tried to figure it out. He has started attempting to impress them first with his dance and he isn't so pushy if they walk away so I'm hopeful he'll be getting it right soon. I do give him credit for only trying with the red-faced pullets. The less mature ones, he treats like juveniles -- to be herded and reminded he's in charge but not mated.

 

[nivtup]

It might take a bit to get all of the pieces in the right place, but if he is doing the deed then he is fertile.

 

[debid]

Quote:
Yes, HE is fertile although not necessarily the eggs

 

[SewingMom]

I think he really is fertile! I found a bullseye egg this morning... or at least I think I did. There is a small darker white dot in the center surrounded by a larger white circle. It looks more like a bullseye in real life but hopefully you can see. Please let me know if you don't think it's a bullseye, I don't want to leave eggs under my broody hen for nothing and have them go to waste

Here is a picture

 

[Long Last Farm]

sure looks like a fertile egg to me!