Feed for older, non-laying hens

[Shamo Hybrid]

4 years isn't old for most heritage or mixed breed hens although the hybrids may be starting to burn out by that age. All hens will slow down by 3 years of age but most hens I have had will lay thru the spring even at 6 and over. I had an Australorp that laid a dozen eggs thru the spring when she was 11 years old. And a rooster that helped produce chicks when he was 9 years old.

The point is, don't give up on your chickens just because the 'experts' say they are too old.

Can I have it's body after he dies so I can extract his DNA and make it to a pill form so I can sell it to old men? Of course, you shall be compensated for your rooster in the amount of $3.50. Thank you.

 

[red horse ranch]

Can I have it's body after he dies so I can extract his DNA and make it to a pill form so I can sell it to old men? Of course, you shall be compensated for your rooster in the amount of $3.50. Thank you.

Sorry, he died over a year ago. Old men don't need to be having chicks!

 

[Ralph Obrien]

I feed all my laying age chickens layer and some are as old as dirt . And still do just fine .

 

[Sylver Queen]

Thanks everyone. Our hens will be 4 yrs old this spring - we'll see if they start laying again. It sounds like we should move to a whole flock feed or else a grower/finisher feed. Does this sound right?

I don't know what most chickens do, but my 9-year old Ameraucanas laid up until they died that year, and my other 9-year-old laid last spring (we'll see what she does now that she's 10! ) but I too am looking to move my whole flock to a starter/grower with plenty of calcium on the side after reading about the benefits of more protein and less calcium for the oldies and youngins. Thanks for starting this thread.

 

[catballou]

Yes, because there is no other real realistic option. Roosters eat the laying hen feed and are ok.

Not really. Roosters don't need extra calcium and neither do non-laying hens.