Rooster Fertility

[enggass]

Are Roosters infertile during the winter months when the hens are not laying?
I was reading about adding winter light and someone mentioned to remember that it takes about 4 weeks for the Rooster to become fertile again...
All theories welcome.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[sourland]

In my experience day length does have an effect on hormonal levels in roosters. Roosters tend to breed less when day length is short and testosterone levels are lower, but I don't think that they become infertile. If you are planning on incubating eggs, just check for the 'bullseye' appearance of fertile eggs.

 

[junebuggena]

Fertility is definitely impacted in the fall/winter. My 7 month old cockerel is only at about 50% fertility rate. My 18 month old rooster is at about 30%. Fertility isn't nonexistent, it's just greatly reduced. The drive to mate just isn't there like it is in the spring/summer.

 

[sourland]

Roosters killed and processed during short day length periods will actually have testicles that are decreased in size as compared to those processed during long day length periods.