Aging flock. What do you do? Thoughts??

[Kuntry Klucker]

Just curious because my sister's RSL's laid big brown eggs every day for two years and then they molted, and the eggs became horrible looking. From what I hear production breeds, especially RSL's tend to fizzle out after two to three years like that. I guess the BO is not so much a production breed, or at least not to the extent of a lot of the Reds. I know American (hatchery) BO's are bred more for production than heritage breeds, but it sounds like they might have better longevity than the very high production Reds (maybe it's because their eggs are smaller IDK).

The reason I'm keen to find out about this topic is because I crossed my Red with a BO. Plus, I am currently crossing my sister's RSL's with one of those roosters. Hoping the BO infusion keeps the eggs at least edible for a couple more years, even if they lay less frequently.

I've learned a heck of a lot about chickens, but how they age is something that will take years to gain first hand experience with!

I am not sure what causes them to still be laying. I don't force them to lay in the winter by putting lights in the coop. I just let them follow their
natural laying cycle. If I have to go without eggs for a while, I do. Their eggs are large and great. I get about 2-4 a day from 12 hens. it is starting to slow
down not that they are in early molt, but that is normal too.

 

[aart]

I eat mine, but that was the plan from the get go, extra cockerels and old hens go for meat and broth.
Cone and jugular slice over a bucket works best for me working alone in the garage.
But it's still not easy, the first one was the hardest by far and I did a lot of research and contemplation before my first harvest. I've had to put down a couple chicks that were deformed, sharp pruners to the neck over the herby curby....wasn't pleasant.

If you don't plan on ever learning to harvest for meat, not sure what to suggest...find a vet that could do it for you, or someone who does harvest for meat? Maybe they'll just die peacefully in their sleep, or drop dead and not force you think about how to put them out of their misery.