When I first started out with chickens four years ago, I thought that you could just go to the feed store, pick out any breed you wanted, and you would have those chickens for ten years. Now, four years later, I have lost three of my original six chickens because of health issues due to overbreeding.
I know realize that most chickens are bred to lay as many eggs as possible in the first two years of their lives, and then be killed. Or, in the case of meat birds, they are bred to get as fat as possible in a short amount of time, and then get slaughtered.
But, I'm not going to cull my birds just because they are old, or don't lay many eggs. My chickens are my pets, so I want them to live as long as possible.
I want to add two or three more chickens to my flock, but this time I want chickens that are going to live a long time and have very few health issues. I don't need chickens that are going to lay tons of eggs, and I definitely don't want meat birds or dual purpose breeds.
I read that Easter Eggers are tend to be very healthy and usually live 8+ years. Is that right? Are there any other breeds like this?
This thread is kind of geared towards people who have had a lot of experience keeping and raising chickens. If you can help me, I would be very grateful.
Thank you!
I know realize that most chickens are bred to lay as many eggs as possible in the first two years of their lives, and then be killed. Or, in the case of meat birds, they are bred to get as fat as possible in a short amount of time, and then get slaughtered.
But, I'm not going to cull my birds just because they are old, or don't lay many eggs. My chickens are my pets, so I want them to live as long as possible.
I want to add two or three more chickens to my flock, but this time I want chickens that are going to live a long time and have very few health issues. I don't need chickens that are going to lay tons of eggs, and I definitely don't want meat birds or dual purpose breeds.
I read that Easter Eggers are tend to be very healthy and usually live 8+ years. Is that right? Are there any other breeds like this?
This thread is kind of geared towards people who have had a lot of experience keeping and raising chickens. If you can help me, I would be very grateful.
Thank you!