how long in a hens life do they lay eggs

[quintinp]

how many years do i have to expect them to stop laying, they are rhode island reds, and barred rocks

 

[Ridgerunner]

Eachy chicken is an individual and may be different, but if you have enough chickens for the averages to mean anything, the egg production will drop around 15% to 20% after each adult molt except the first adult molt. It does not necessarily stop completely, but it really cuts back after a very few years. After a few years egg quality can get worse too. If you are looking at when to cycle new ones in, the third year is usually a good choice, but if you want to keep them, you can still expect an egg, just a lot less.

Good luck!

 

[sillysparrowness]

My best egg layer ever managed to empty herself within 5 years. And those were 5 years of 5-7 eggs a week and hardly a molt break. (she was scary, that way!) I would give them 4 years at least. But then, I have them just for fun. So I couldn't really give advice to a commercial chickenholder. You sell the eggs?

 

[quintinp]

Quote:
naah, but i have some four year old rhode island reds, and it is really hot, around the mid 90's around southern oklahoma, and they aren't laying at all, i am not getting an egg a week from any of them