How long is a rooster productive?

[dave27889]

How often should you change out a rooster that is producing fertile eggs with your hens. I have never heard about the rooster. I know hens go on producing for about 2.5 years and longer. I was told by a older relative tha you should change out your rooster about every 2 years. Let me know your opinion. Should you be keeping a young rooster in reserve?

[Pathfinders]

I have a six year old cock bird who was throwing very nice youngsters last summer. Bantam may be different than LF, (he's a Dutch), but I think an older cock bird should still be able to perform for more than two years anyway.

[dave27889]

Thanks a lot. I posted on BYC and I got about the same reply. Several people told me to keep an extra rooster in the wings as a back up incase something were to happen to #1 rooster and to keep a good bloodline flowing. They said to change hens to bring in different bloodlines. Thanks for the help.