I've found on average my roosters are good through the 4th year. I feed an all-in-one type feed of 19 or 20% protein, oyster shell and eggshells on the side.
after that, fertility seems to decrease and so does the mating drive. I run a multi-generational flock, so it's about that age a young cockerel seems to "de-throne" the older bird and take over. A male kept with no younger males for competition may last longer, this is just my experience. Since I often mate daughters back to father, 4 years is about when I'm ready to cycle through a new male anyway.
after that, fertility seems to decrease and so does the mating drive. I run a multi-generational flock, so it's about that age a young cockerel seems to "de-throne" the older bird and take over. A male kept with no younger males for competition may last longer, this is just my experience. Since I often mate daughters back to father, 4 years is about when I'm ready to cycle through a new male anyway.
