How old is too old?

[hensonly]

I have 10 gold sex links...they're just turning 2 the end of April. The DH doesn't want to get new chicks until next spring. I'd like to get some breeds with broody tendencies and raise my own replacements...my question is, as hens age is there a drop in the quality of the eggs in terms of hatching them? Also, will my roos still be fertile enough to "father" some hatchable eggs? I don't know when their fertility declines, and how much. All my birds came in the same batch (the roos were supposed to be pullets).

 

[cowman910]

My oldest hen is 12 and she still lays fetile eggs. My rooster however, is only a year old.

 

[hensonly]

My roos are two now, will be three when I would be wanting to use "their" eggs...I gotta think they'll still be adequately fertile, yes? I'm guessing their fertility shouldn't decline THAT quickly? Anyone?

 

[nissa_loves_cats]

I have a rooster of unknown age--- at least 3--- and though he sired chicks last year, the four eggs I test-incubated this year weren't fertile. Since I had his son, I put the daddy in with my extra roosters and put the son to work. I have 3 older hens, 3 years old I think, and they are slow to get started laying this year although I believe one of them finally laid an egg yesterday.

 

[muddyhorse]

Old Man Roo is 5 his spur are so long we have to trim them so they don't click together when he walks. his eggs are 90% fertile which is excelent for fluffy butt cochins he looks rough in this pic taken soon after he tangled with a fox (got most of his cushion)