At what age do hens stop laying?

[ScrambledAcresFarm]

You're just 3.5 hours from me. So you've pretty much had the same weather I've had! I was thinking since it's been so nice that they should be laying. Maybe they think its spring!

 

[Scott]

I am not too far from either of you. Mine just went through a mid-late summer break. They recently started back up. I also had several hens raising chicks though. I've got about five hens that will be 3 years old next spring. Once they go through their laying cycle next year, I'm weeding them out. So that I can maximize egg production, I am trying to keep my flock all under four years except for any birds needed for breeding and the roosters, which are "productive" for many years. I'm telling you, keep your hens in top shape (feed layer crumbles and lots of greens, not a bunch of cracked corn or table scraps) and wean out the older birds if you want more eggs. What type of chickens do you all have anyway? Some breeds are just better layers.

 

[Peeper]

I have everything from buffs to barred rocks to bantys. I was getting so many eggs I started asking people to save their egg cartons for me and then no more eggs. Even my ducks who faithfully laid one egg each every day just went on strike.

 

[Scott]

They often do that this time of year. They will pick back up eventually.

 

[ScrambledAcresFarm]

I have I think what is called Gold & Silver Laced Wyndotts? I dont know how to spell it. I hope with them grazing now that they will start laying!

 

[Scott]

I'm sure they will.

 

[speckledhen]

Well, I have hens who are almost four years old who still lay 4-5 eggs every week.

 

[cassandra7022]

hi, i'm kinda new at all this chicken stuff. i love having the "fat chicks" around. i have had my chickens ( the oldest ones) for 18 monthe now. and i used to get about 2 dozen a day, but they all have seemed to stop laying. i thought i read somewhere that chickens stop laying eggs around 18 months. now i am reading that y'all have chickens laying into 3 years????????? i have 10 new babies almost 3 months old now and im wondering if the new ones caused them to slow down in their laying. i just didnt want to send them to pot if i will still get eggs from them. if anyone can hlp me out with this dilema it sure would be great!
thanks

 

[the lemon tree]

Quote:
18 months seems right about the time when they should be molting. Have you noticed anything different in their feathering? If they are molting, that should explain the drop in egg production.

 

[cassandra7022]

thanks chickychicky, i sure haven't noticed anything different, except my australorp rooster has lost his beautiful tail feathers. most of the hens don't have feathers on their backs anymore, but i think that is from the roosters and the other hens picking.
i sure will check them out tho.
thanks so much