[Helencus]

Hi can anyone tell me how old would cockerels need to be seperated by, how old are they when they become sexually mature and when do they start crowing? I am hatching my first eggs and anticipate I will get a few so want to know what to expect. Thanks

[Birdie Wife]

Some breeds are more precocious than others but mine have usually started crowing at about 4 months and treading at 5 - 6 months. Not sure if this means they are sexually mature or whether they are just practising the behaviour, but I cull at about 6-7 months and the testes are well developed by then.

[Helencus]

Thanks birdiewife

[langdon]

please could you explain treading and testies!!!
langdon

[Helencus]

Well Langdon if you don't know about the birds and the bees by now then I guess there is no hope for you 

[langdon]

hey hang on there!
i know all about that but neva heared of treading and tassties or tessties
cheek

[Hermit]

Treading means mating and the other means bol***KS

[Roxy]

Langdon, well done on asking questions.  Its the only way you will find out the answers isn't it!!!

I have numerous cockerels, and they did have a few skirmishes at first, but are all roughly the same age, and seem to have an agreement amongst themselves, that they have their own ladies, and keep to their own bit of field. Having said that, 4 of them do hang out together, but only one of those seems to tread the hens, doubt the others are allowed!!

[doganjo]

Langdon, the reason it's called treading is because that is what the cockerel does to the hens.  He jumps on their backs and 'treads' them while he is mating them.  Testes is the medical term for testicles, and I'm sure you know what they are 

[Helencus]

Sorry langdon I thought you were being Tongue in cheek. I hadn't heard it referred to as treading until I got my own hens and read up. As for testies have 2 sons so knew all about them 

[langdon]

no problem next time now i will know what you are talking about!

[QWOLF]

hi helen
have a wee look on you tube (sexing chicks) it shows u how u can tell by the wing feathers at 2 days old...worth a wee look then like me you will probably watch the other 9 million chicken vids lol.

[Helencus]

Oh qwolf you know I will  cheers