At what age do the hens stop laying?

[Hoot]

Seems like I remember my grand father getting some younger birds once, because the old ones egg production slowed way down.

He blamed it on their age.


Hoot

 

[Orpingtonman]

Most will "slow down" at 2-3 years old. Then again, some never stop. They will lay an egg every now and then. But mostly, around 2-3 years of age

 

[DTchickens]

depends really.. most heavy production breeds (and all year round layers etc). stop about 8-10 years. and slow down at 3, non-heavy breeds seem to be able to go about a year longer. but it really depends on the health of your chickens, Stress issues, and i believe genetics as well.. as i knew a guy who had a breeding pair of american gamefowl at 18 years old.. and how that hen laid you would never have known she was that old unless you checked back through records, I also have a 10 year old american gamefowl hen... Still lays daily


PS, Reason i say genetics as well is due to every pullet out of that pair laid until 10-15 years, while his other lines would stop about 8-9

 

[ranchhand]

I have/had a black sex link who is 13 years old and still laying daily! She was mine, but I left her with neighbors hens when I moved. She is the marvel of S. Austin!

Hoot, how's the chicken coop/run coming along? I see you are still alive, but are you on the couch in the coop yet?

Need some closeups of that great barn where you and Dale conspire!
I don't know you DW, so you're safe!

 

[Hoot]

LOL. Not yet. Our family has just had a terrible end to last year and beginning to this one. We have lost several close relatives in the past few months.

I've been so busy I don't have time to get in trouble.

But I do have my plans for the coop and run. Have spoke to the gent at the farm and ranch store. He will be ordering a new lot of chicks very soon. So I am positive I'll be in the dog house or hen house very soon.

Just got a final inspection on the barn. I'll post some pictures of the barn, coop under construction and Dale if he will stand still long enough.

Hoot