rooster fertility

[jbb23]

I have had one rooster (for about 8 hens) for 3 years now and when our broody hen decided to follow thru all the way this year and hatch out some chicks of course several of them were roosters also. Obviously he is operational but I'm wondering if I would be better off dispatching him and keeping one of the 6 month old off-spring in case his fertility is going down hill and I really only want 1 rooster.
Basically I'm asking what is the fertility lifespan of an average rooster. If it makes a difference we will probably let our broody try again in the spring if she is so inclined.
Thanks,
Jase

 

[Wes in Tx]

I have seen and heard of rooster up in years, 5-10, still being quite fertile.

 

[bootita]

hi, i got two bantams last summer from a yard with two roosters. three weeks later we had bb chix! now one of the babies is a teenage rooster (5mos) and is always trying to hop on the moms. he's a real pain to the other chix so we might eat him.
my questions: when do roosters become fertile? and when are they old enough to eat?
thanks! cat