How long do you keep your flock, before beginning anew? Or just add...

[kathyinmo]

How long do you keep your flock? Do you just keep adding more, or start over every ? years? I'm talking layers, not meaties, of course. Currently, mine are only 6 weeks old, but I am just curious as to how most handle this. Thanks, Kathy

 

[tiffanyh]

I just add one or two every year or so, so I always have good young layers.

 

[Gonzo]

That's a good idea!
Quote:

 

[simplyscrambled]

Me too, but I'm only allowed 6 hens. I added 2 last year, and I only had one old hen that no longer lays. This year I hatched 1 more for myself, and 3 for the school coop.

So far attrition by unknown causes made sure I haven't ended up with 6 non-laying hens!

 

[kathyinmo]

How long to chickens live? How long do they keep laying eggs?

 

[cybercat]

Kathy it depends on the breed. Sexlink and the hybred have the shortest egg laying and life span. Your duel purpose breeds have they longest in alot of case for they are bigger and calmer and breed to last. I have heard of chickens laying past 10 years of age 1 to3 eggs a week.

 

[jaalb]

I think they will live for at least 7 years or more if I remember right, and there first year is the best for egg production after that it drops off I forget by how much though each year until they just stop laying all togeather

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Longest recorded chicken life I've heard was 18 or 20 years. I have a bird who will be 8 in a couple of weeks and she lays regularly. I lost one this year who was about 12 or more and she still laid regularly.