Hatchery hen average lifespan compared to private breeder stock

[Mrs. K]

I am not quite sure why longevity is important? I keep a flock, I add birds and remove birds from my flock. Sure I have my favorites,. But animals do die, everything does. I fail to see the advantage of keeping hens alive for a long period of time. I would rather have an active, healthy bunch of birds, than old stiff and in pain birds.

I like getting eggs, a flock of birds laying once a week, is not what I want. If they are active and healthy and doing fine, I would not cull an older bird, but I do expect them to die, and am not in unbearable grief if they do so. Things do have a life span. Give them the best life you can, and move on.

I love getting new chicks, and it is the circle of life.

Mrs K

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I am not quite sure why longevity is important? I keep a flock, I add birds and remove birds from my flock. Sure I have my favorites,. But animals do die, everything does. I fail to see the advantage of keeping hens alive for a long period of time. I would rather have an active, healthy bunch of birds, than old stiff and in pain birds.

I like getting eggs, a flock of birds laying once a week, is not what I want. If they are active and healthy and doing fine, I would not cull an older bird, but I do expect them to die, and am not in unbearable grief if they do so. Things do have a life span. Give them the best life you can, and move on.

I love getting new chicks, and it is the circle of life.

Mrs K

Some people keep chickens as pets. For them, longevity is an important characteristic. You don't buy bantam frizzles or silkies to put eggs on the plate. Most parents wouldn't want to go thru having pre-teen children balling their eyes out periodically as Mrs. Clucker the Comet burns out, or Cornish Rex falls over of a heart attack in the summer heat.

For those whose backyard flocks provide protein, moderate to rapid turnover of the flock as it "ages out" is a more typical management practice.

Different purposes, different needs.

 

[Mrs. K]

Without a doubt, different viewpoints. I do have pre-teen kids, and they see it as the circle of life. To me, this is an important life lesson. Things do die, and protecting children from death of loved ones, is unrealistic.

But to each his own. I just have hatchery birds. I am happy with that. I keep a flock, which is a different viewpoint than people keeping specific individualized birds as pets.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Without a doubt, different viewpoints. I do have pre-teen kids, and they see it as the circle of life. To me, this is an important life lesson. Things do die, and protecting children from death of loved ones, is unrealistic.

But to each his own. I just have hatchery birds. I am happy with that. I keep a flock, which is a different viewpoint than people keeping specific individualized birds as pets.

Right there with you. Hatchery birds myself, which I am using to breed mutts. No future plans for any to survive their first molt (though keeping a couple of the currently molting birds - for now - to back cross and reinforce some desired genetics, they won't over-winter with me.

Keeping chickens as pets is a practice I'm aware of - as well as the beliefs of some not to cull or kill birds which are no longer productive egg layers, excess roosters, aggressive birds - but neither makes any sense to me, I don't value those emotional judgements as they do.

 

[Mrs. K]

I enjoy my birds, and have for years, every so often there will be a favorite, I am not big on culling, but will put a bird out of misery... I just don't want them to live forever. I don't expect them to live forever. When I do loose some, either do to death, predator or my decision to cull, that opens up space for younger birds.

Mrs K

 

[Kpay]

After years of having chickens, I have noticed time and again that the hatchery hens have major reproductive/health issues starting around their 3rd year. Some recover, and go on to lead a decent life for another year or so, however I have not had a hatchery chicken make it past 5 years.
On the other hand I have several chickens from private breeders that I either bought as chicks, or just ordered eggs, and hatched myself that are 7-8 years old and still going strong.
I even noticed that any mixes from private breeder/hatchery tend to live longer and are overall healthier than the hatchery bought chicks
I realize that the hatcheries are in it for profit. As a business, it is about numbers, and not so much health/vitality.

Has anyone had this same issue?
Any thoughts on this?

I bought 7 day-old chicks 5 years ago this month. I lost 3 of the 7 this year. I will buy from local breeders from now on. So disappointing to lose our girls so soon.

 

[Mrs. K]

5 year old birds, are not loosing your birds so soon. I know some birds will live longer, but truthfully, I don't think that longer than 5 years is real practical.

But I do wonder about environment. I see the original poster is in Texas - I live in SD, we have been -35 degrees below zero...maybe excessive heat, and cold shorten birds lived?

 

[TheFatBlueCat]

I'd be fairly pleased if my chickens politely decided to die at around 5 years old. It would save me the decision on if I should cull them or not, especially if they were still healthy and loving life. I've got a few birds that are likely close to this age or older (I'm unsure as they just showed up and joined my flock), and I've got a couple who are coming up on 4 years old. None of them shows the least sign of dying on me. All of them remain in vibrant health. I was honestly expecting a lot more deaths.