Hens no longer laying

[tulippond13]

Alrighty, so I'm buying chickens for the first time and I have one or two quick questions. So about what time do hens stop laying, if at all? And secondly, what should I do when they stop laying? Is it humane to keep them as pets or should I cull them? Sorry for the questions and thanks for all the help you guys have given me so far!!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

You'll notice a big decrease in the hen's egg laying around year three. Most people then either cull them or put them in the stew pot. I'm never getting rid of my Girls even when they are done laying as they truly are pets who are part of the family!

Besides being good pets, non-laying hens also make better mothers than some laying hens! Also, older hens can teach and encourage young pullets how and where to lay. So, even non-laying hens are still great to keep and have around!

 

[SummerSaige]

^^ What Mountain Peeps said. Most hens will decrease in laying by three. Their prime years are one to two and a half years. My hens will always have a home with me. They're my babies and I'll keep them until they tell me it's time to go. However, if you don't grow attached too them (which is very hard not to), you can always find a rescue or place in the country to put them. Many people provide a refuge for roos and older hens.

 

[TheChickendude1]

I put mine in the stewpot at the first sign of a decrease. I have 20 egg hens and 70 meat birds, so Butchering Time comes around once or, rarely, twice a month.

 

[spotsplus]

I have hens that are 8 that are laying sporadically, so they will continue to lay- just not regularly. We keep our old gals even if they don't lay eggs. They are pets to us