Egg Laying verification

[anthonyjames]

I have seen many different answers for how long do chickens lay eggs for. From at little time as 1 -2 years to 3 to 6 years.

I have the chickens arriving this week:

2 Austrolap
2 Star Red
2 Plymouth Barred
4 Easter Eggers

I guess the question is how long will these lay daily or 4 times per week? I was under the impression they would lay eggs for one good season then pretty much be done. So I was planning on cycling my chickens every year. Basically this time next year order a new batch and the others would be ready to move on. But now I am seeing they can lay up to 5 or 6 years. Is this true? And they can live 10+ years? That is way more then I anticipated. Not that this is an issue just changes how long I thought I would have the first batch.

Also, do I need to have a rooster in the future if I want to hatch a few eggs from my current chickens?

 

[codybird]

My understanding is that their peak years are year one and year two. The egg production will decline slightly every year after that.I don't think they actually quit for a while.

I think it takes about 32 hours for a hen to make an egg.

 

[matthew1985]

yes you need a roo if u plan on hatchin ne eggs with out him they wont be fertil