How long do chickens remain fetal

[mpede]

I just picked up a couple of hens from a local hatchery former brood stock. I was wondering how long they will remain fetal.

 

[silkiechicken]

I assume you mean feral? Or not friendly with people?

Former broodstock... might take a week to make friends, might take a month, might never make friends with them. The friendliest birds are often ones raised from chicks by humans who have been conditioned to see humans as a good tasty treat source.

I would work on them by getting them to associate you with food they like.

 

[mpede]

Sorry ment to say fertile..

 

[nbenevento]

As in how long will they continue to lay eggs? If so, they can all be a little different but generally speaking, their production will slow down after about 2 to 3 years. They should continue to lay after 3 years or so but a hen that layer 5 eggs a week, you may only get 1 or 2 a week. After 4 years she cold stop altogether. Some will stop sooner though.

If you meant fertile as in hatch out chicks, as you know, she needs a rooster. If she is still laying and she is mated by the rooster, you can still hatch chicks.