at what age would you consider replacing a hen for the purpose of egg laying? i have about 6-8 hens that i have for eggs for friends and family that are about 2-3 years old. is this "old?"
Welllll. Batteries cull their hens at 72 weeks. Kinda young if you ask me. Over 2 years old they lay every other day, which is fine with me. I guess it is really your preference. I fall in love with my chickens, so I think they stay til they die. Probably go from the coop to free range after they stop laying.
My limit for age is 2-3 years anything after that goes because they eat more and produce less than can pay the bills.
that's kinda what i was thinking. i think of them more as pets, but these were bought with the intent of egg laying, so i may find them a forever home.