How long is a rooster fertile?

[4 Love of Baby Chickens]

Hi I'm just wondering because I have an almost 2 year old RIR roo named Rusty. He's definally fertile as I've gotten 6 chicks from him last year even before he turned a year old.

Out of his 2nd batch I've got a RIR x RSL pullet named Ginger and a purebred RIR cockeral named Rocky. My dream is to have 12 RIR hens and 12 BR hens. I'm pretty sure that it'll be plenty of hens for 2 RIR roosters in a 25' by 10' coop with a 10' by 8' run.

So just how long is a rooster fertile? I need to know so I can make sure that I keep the best cockeral out of any of my future RIR chicks.

 

[4 Love of Baby Chickens]

Anyone????????????

 

[stormylady]

I don't know what the answer to your question is but can tell you that a person that i was going to buy some eggs off of had a Rooster that was 8 years old she said his fertility was good but had trouble catching the girls to mate with. And something else I was told was depending on the type of rooster, some don't even fully mature until there around two years old. Sorry I couldn't be more help I was kinda wanting to see what some more experienced breeder would say too. Sandy

 

[4 Love of Baby Chickens]

Thanks stormlady. Anyone else?

 

[usschicago1]

Quote:
I think they are always pretty fertile. Just depends if they have enough vigor to mount the hens !

 

[4 Love of Baby Chickens]

Oh? Well that's interesting. I just to make sure that I have an extra rooster to replace Rusty. I doubt that I'd sell him. He won 1st place at the fair last year and he's sired some nice chicks so far.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I would alos like to know this ...

 

[stormylady]

Quote:
your very welcome!

 

[key west chick]

My key west roo Smokey is 10 and still getting the job done.