"Useful" life of a Rooster? Fertility questions...

[triggfamily5]

I have tried searching this, but I don't think I have the right terminology....

What is the useful life of a rooster in regards to fertilizing eggs?

Is a Red Star rooster fertile?


Since I have an incubator given to me, I would like to try and hatch some of my own eggs to play, but my rooster is well over 5 years old, if not older (he was an adult when I got him). I don't want to try for something that may not be there. Of course, my grown hens are between 3-5 years old so is their fertility a concern also?

I am hoping, amazingly, that some of the 35 chicks I have might have 1 or 2 roosters in there

Edited:

After thought - I have a white chochin bantam rooster/hen pair in with my standards (3 yrs old) will he be fertilizing the standards also????

 

[greyartist]

good question. My roo is getting old, over 5 now. How long do they have?

 

[tammyd57]

Have you cracked open any eggs to see if they are fertile? If they are---go for it! If you search 'bullseye' there are lots of threads with pictures of what to look for to determine fertility.
Yes, bantams can mate with standard size chickens, if she'll let him

 

[triggfamily5]

Quote:
Thank you very much for that

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=16008