Egg laying...or not

[ScouterJoe]

We picked up 6 pullets at TSC three years ago. We knew nothing, but they were cute and she had to have them, and I never say no. I built a coop and a run. Only thee survived to adulthood. Fast forward 3 years. How long can I expect to get eggs? They are not producing as in the past. I figure there is a limit. Question #2: What do you do with your girls, once they stop producing?

 

[Fred's Hens]

1. Allow them to retire at your place, house, water and feed them until they die, or find someone who will.
2. Eat them, allow someone else to eat them.

You'll get lots of support for either position. This is a choice and a management decision that comes with the territory.

 

[RedDrgn]

1. Allow them to retire at your place, house, water and feed them until they die, or find someone who will.
2. Eat them, allow someone else to eat them.

You'll get lots of support for either position. This is a choice and a management decision that comes with the territory.

Yep, it all comes down to you and what your chickens are to you; producers or pets.

They may lay all of their lives or they may stop in a year or two, but production is going to continue to decrease with age.

If it were me, I'd keep them and keep them happy and healthy for as long as I could. However, I'd probably add another 2-3 girls to the flock about now, too.

 

[dolly85]

I have three hens who just turned 3 in April. I'm on the fence as to what to do with them as they eat tons but only give me a few random eggs. I have limited space and while I love my chickens I really love getting eggs. We may end up butchering them after a few more of my younger pullets begin to lay.