How old is too old.

[sammy77]

Im sure this topic has been discussed before but Im curious to yalls veiws on it. How old is too old when it comes to the age of your brood fowl before they loose those desirable traits?

[pigafetta08]

As long as they produce healthy chicks that win..
Some would say 5 yaers, some say 4..
But Mr. Lancey Dela Torre had a 14 year old broodcock before, but i guess that's rarity..
Standard goes to 5 or even 7 years of age, as long as it's obviously healthy and still vigorous enough to produce offsprings that win..
I had an experience with 5 year olds, maximum..

[Gypsygamefarm]

I have a eight year old brood cock that produces great

[sammy77]

What traits seem to diminish first with your old brood fowl?

[foxhound]

i have an eight year old hen i still raise off

[Autkast]

Originally Posted by sammy77

What traits seem to diminish first with your old brood fowl?

All of the good ones. You'll know when you see it.

[chad123]

I think theres nothing wrong with an older broodcock i just like to breed them to younger hens thats always made the difference for me

[Soul]

why would the traits diminish??there genes are still the same...maybe fertility could be affected due to age..but why the traits..some people dont like to use young broodfowl...first because they havent been proven in show and some because they havent matured yet..like kids shouldnt be having kids..so if you wait to prove them at least there goes 1 1/2 to 2 years..then the offspring you have to wait one more year..so by the time you find out hes good hill be too old..i dont mind having them as old as i can..i think you have a better chance in knowing your brood fowl more with time and better crosses than just giving them a couple of years trail..

[INCUBUS06]

if the cock aint throwing blanks heck use him if the hen is still laying why stop? lets say shes the golden hen and is 4 yrs old do you have to stop....hell no, if she was 9 yrs old and layed 3 eggs a year i would still keep her