Roo Question

I am new to the chicken world. I have raised my girls (and unexpected boy) from day old chicks. 3 RIR and 3 EE. They are now around 22 weeks old. My question is this: Will a rooster try to mate with one of his girls before they are ready, or is it only when he knows they are fertile or ready to lay?

Pic for attention. He is so pretty!

Thank you!

I have had chickens about 5 years now.  It seems like right around the time the girls are ready to start laying, a switch is flipped in the rooster.  Before that, he might offer a tidbit and look out for them, but the real interest started around egg time.  One of the girls even picked a rooster and started following him around and presenting herself to him.  

Welcome to Permies!

Thank you!

I thought that might be the case. I have eagerly been awaiting my first chicken eggs! I asked because I also got two guinea keets. One of them is female and has already started laying! The rooster attempts to mate with her frequently but only today did I notice him trying to mate with one of my hens. Maybe I’ll get an egg tomorrow!

Hope so! That first egg is always eggsciting😝