At what age do hens stop laying eggs?

[cleoandtheo]

I guess I assumed that they layed eggs throughout their whole lives, but maybe not???

 

[canada-goose]

It depends a lot on the hen. Some slow down after the first year or so, some keep laying a lot longer.

 

[matthewschickens]

With the exception of production birds who only lay a little over a year, other birds usally lay well for 2 or 3 years. then they start to not lay as many but still lay. The longest layer was a RIR that layed eggs to 10 years of age!

 

[teach1rusl]

Most folks find that egg production falls off a little after the first 2 years or so. Many continue to lay for years, but not as often as when they were "spring chickens."

 

[norcal]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, didn't know if that was better or better to start anew??

I have 4 BR hens that are about 1yr 8 mos & their production has slowed WAY, WAY down.
Any ways to help boost laying for these young ladies?

 

[WoodlandWoman]

That sounds like a seasonal issue, not an age issue. Fall molts and shorter days can both effect laying. As pullets, they aren't as effected. As adult hens, you see the normal seasonal rhythms of their laying, when going broody, molting or short winter days can effect them.

Some people choose to add supplemental lighting in winter and some people don't. There have been a lot of threads on the pros and cons of supplemental lighting. You might want to check them out. Otherwise, laying should pick up again in the spring, when the days get longer.

 

[norcal]

Thanks for the response, that makes more sense.