At what age do hens stop laying?

[ScrambledAcresFarm]

I have 13 hens that are 3 years old. They stopped laying in early June. I thought they were going to molt. But they didn't. This accured at the same time I stopped feeding hen scratch. They still were fed ration crumbles though. So I'm not sure if the change did it or not. I really don't think so. But now there are large & small feathers all through the coop. Molting? Are my chickens old, should I continue the scratch? Even the temperature as been wonderful for 2 months! I'm at a lose. If they stopped laying, then I have no use for them. I wouldn't want to sell them to anyone as egg layers, and I would never eat them.
So let me know ya'll what you think is up!
Thanks ahead of time!

 

[Scott]

They are probably just going through a molt. Once mature, hens will lay most of their life. I know my hens go thru a laying cycle in spring and early-mid summer, then slow down. They then pick up again in later summer (now) and through fall. Keep in mind, however, that hens peak egg production is between two and three years of age. After that, egg production will continue to decline. If the birds are primarily kept for egg production, it is cost effective to keep them during their peak egg production years, then replace them with younger, more productive birds. Unless, of course, you are attached to them as pets. But just know that you can expect their egg production to slowly decline after about three years.

 

[Lollipop]

Quote:
I usually catch a lot of flak from saying this, but here go`s. I would obtain a nice mature cock and let him go at it. Sort of like priming the pump, so to speak. Now I know a rooster doesn`t have anything to do with egg production, but something has to change for your hens and I can`t think of anything more possitive than that. I`ve seen it work before and whether coincidence or not, it has worked in my birds, as well as others. Whadda ya got to lose? They still have a lot of eggs left to give......Pop

 

[M To The Maxx]

I was told they stop laying at 3 years old.

 

[ScrambledAcresFarm]

Check this out! The rooster I had with them for a year became mean and brutal! He pecked them up worse then the usual scares of love! So I removed him and gave them a new handsome rooster! THEY KILLED HIM!!!! In 2 weeks!
So now what?

 

[Elite Silkies]

I think a hen's prime laying years are the first 2 years, then they decline. But, I have read several post that older hens are still laying, not as much, but still laying.

But........... I talked to a friend of mine and she feels that they lay good for 3 or 4 years.

Just a guess, but I would say they are molting with all the feather loss.... I think the molts are late summer or early fall??????? Anyone else know when the molts take place for sure?

 

[Scott]

Quote:
That is true. But you can expect more out of a younger bird. It all depends on your goal for keeping the birds. If it is simply the pleasure of keeping them, then you can expect their egg production to slowly decline. This was PROBABLY their peak season of their life. As I said, most hens peak egg production is between 2 and 3 years of age. However, they will continue to lay many eggs over the span of their life. If your goal is a high production egg laying flock (.i.e. the most eggs for your money), then it makes sense to rotate out older birds, particularly those that have not been productive layers as you don't want them breeding back into your flock. With my flock, I keep hens for about 3 to 4 years. I raise new chicks each spring/summer and rotate out older birds as needed. I only keep hens longer than that if I need to keep them for breeding purposes. If you don't rotate birds out occasionally, then your flock will have declining egg production each year and yet you are feeding them the same amount. It doesnt make sense to do that if you want as many eggs as possible out of your birds. This is of course my opinion from my reading and my own experience with my flock. Why spend the money feeding a flock of old birds that lay fewer and fewer eggs each year, when you can maintain a younger flock for the same amount of money? Let them earn their keep!

Also, if you want higher egg production, you should introduce a new line into your flock every few years (i.e. outcrossing). If you don't, you will eventually see egg production and fertility decline as related birds continue to breed to related birds. It takes several generations for this negative result to happen, but it will eventually. Again, it all depends on your goals. If you are breeding for typiness and show quality, you would not want to outcross but focus on line breeding. Outcrossing should improve flock healthy, egg production, fertility, and result in what is known as "hybrid vigor".

 

[Lollipop]

Quote:
Had to be a young rooster. A mature cock can assert himself and handle any hen aggression.

I also agree that production falls off as hens get older. However, selling them as "laying hens" would not be the most honest thing to do, and if eating them is out of the question, whadda ya gonna do? I do as suggested and add new hens over time. The old girls have a home forever. I have had hens that layed eggs for over 10 years. My birds are a hobby and egg production is not a priority, so I may have a different persective than others......Pop

 

[ScrambledAcresFarm]

I'm just gunna assume they're done and get some new hens. I let them out of their run yesterday for the first time. They loved it and went back in at dark. I told my husband if they can do this everyday and not get in my flower beds, then they can stay! I'm hoping this might encourage their ovaries!!!! LOL
If not, atleast the grasshoppers will be gone!

 

[Peeper]

I also have a dozen hens ranging in age from 6 months to 3 years. They stopped laying in june and we haven't gotten a single egg all summer. I'm baffled.