Old Rooster "Shooting Blanks?"

[chad]

Good morning, all, haven't been on her in ages.

We have a salmon Faverolle rooster, "Spike," whom we love. He's eight years old. In years past our hens have produced one or two batches of chicks a year. For the last couple of years, though, nothing. Our hens are nice, healthy Barred Rocks.

Does anybody know if roosters can become sterile with age? Or, something that just occurred to me: Maybe he's just not interested any more? I just realized that I haven't seen him mount a hen in a while...

 

[sourland]

Roosters can become infertile as they age, or decreased testosterone levels and/or mobility may have removed his desire/ability to mate. It happens to the best of us.

 

[chad]

I guess it's time for Spike to retire as Barnyard Boss and become "Rooster Emeritus." Thanks!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

An old rooster definitely will have decreased fertility. Intestinal fat in his back side can also decrease the number of eggs he can fertilize.

If you want chicks from him check him carefully and put him on a diet with NO chicken treats. Then introduce him into a pen with only one or two hens, (the younger the hens the better) and then pray for results.