Is my rooster an old man?

[Beaglegal]

I have a BCM rooster that was already living here when we bought the farm 6 months ago. I have a few reasons to think he might be older. He has really long spurs about the length of my index finger. He doesn’t roam much, our EE rooster used to take the girls out to the field until we sold him, the BCM rooster sticks to the chicken yard. And he goes to bed EARLY. Like several hours before dark. Our group of chickens under a year old stay out until dusk. He is still bright and shiny and still mates his hens but not nearly as much as our cockerel.

I’m just wondering how much longer we might have him with us. I like him so much I plan to have him taxidermied so he can be our farm mascot forever.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I have a BCM rooster that was already living here when we bought the farm 6 months ago. I have a few reasons to think he might be older. He has really long spurs about the length of my index finger. He doesn’t roam much, our EE rooster used to take the girls out to the field until we sold him, the BCM rooster sticks to the chicken yard. And he goes to bed EARLY. Like several hours before dark. Our group of chickens under a year old stay out until dusk. He is still bright and shiny and still mates his hens but not nearly as much as our cockerel. View attachment 2042045

I’m just wondering how much longer we might have him with us. I like him so much I plan to have him taxidermied so he can be our farm mascot forever.

I'm gonna say he's probably 3yrs old, maybe 3, 1/2yrs old.

 

[Beaglegal]

I'm gonna say he's probably 3yrs old, maybe 3, 1/2yrs old.

So middle age? What makes you think that, spur length?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have a rooster who turned 10 yrs old Aug 2019 he’s still going strong. Breeding his hens. Enjoying life.

 

[Beaglegal]

I have a rooster who turned 10 yrs old Aug 2019 he’s still going strong. Breeding his hens. Enjoying life.

Wow, that’s longevity. I have some BCM chicks and I’d like them to have time to grow up because I want a full BCM son of his to take over. My other cockerel is his son by our cuckoo Maran and he’s great so far.

 

[MysteryChicken]

So middle age? What makes you think that, spur length?

Yes, spurs grow with age.

 

[Beaglegal]

Yes, spurs grow with age.

Is there a point where they stop growing?

 

[Brahmachicken240]

Maybe he is..
He sure is one lovely looking rooster.
Sometimes when I have a sick bird they won’t roam around as much and they’ll go to bed early but if he’s been doing that since you moved there I’d say you’d have nothing to worry about.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Is there a point where they stop growing?

No, they continue to grow, & will need to be trimmed if they get too long.

 

[Beaglegal]

Maybe he is..
He sure is one lovely looking rooster.
Sometimes when I have a sick bird they won’t roam around as much and they’ll go to bed early but if he’s been doing that since you moved there I’d say you’d have nothing to worry about.

Yes, this is pretty standard behavior but I noticed it now because I have a young group to compare it to