How long to keep hens?

[NonTypicalCPA]

We've got seven 18 month old hens. How long do people normally keep them before switching them out? My kids don't like the idea of turning them into meat birds

. How long will they live if we decide to keep them as pets?

 

[Maximus]

Normaly they live to 5 or 6 but I have had many that lived longer.

 

[hcppam]

many can lay that long...less eggs as you go. I'm keeping mine till they give up the ghost.

 

[Maximus]

Quote:
Me to!

 

[Mrs. K]

I have three that are 3 years old, and their egg production has dropped drastically. They will go this fall when there are less flies. By taking out the older ones, I can get new chicks each year. Young pullets will lay through the darkness of winter, older pullets make nice size eggs. And old hens make very good broth. Once in a while one gets to be special, but for the most part they get old and crabby, and then with the thought of new chicks, it makes it easier.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Mrs. K :

I have three that are 3 years old, and their egg production has dropped drastically. They will go this fall when there are less flies. By taking out the older ones, I can get new chicks each year. Young pullets will lay through the darkness of winter, older pullets make nice size eggs. And old hens make very good broth. Once in a while one gets to be special, but for the most part they get old and crabby, and then with the thought of new chicks, it makes it easier.

X2​

 

[Spitman]

Fred's Hens :

Mrs. K :

I have three that are 3 years old, and their egg production has dropped drastically. They will go this fall when there are less flies. By taking out the older ones, I can get new chicks each year. Young pullets will lay through the darkness of winter, older pullets make nice size eggs. And old hens make very good broth. Once in a while one gets to be special, but for the most part they get old and crabby, and then with the thought of new chicks, it makes it easier.

X2​

x3​

 

[ramirezframing]

i have a 10 yr old at the youngest hen who gave up laying this summer. but he egg count did go down to one every week or so. i had a silkie who laid till about 10 or 11 before she quite.

 

[NonTypicalCPA]

Wow, that's longer than I expected. I guess I'll have to experiment with adding new chicks into the flock, hopefully without having to eliminate my kids favorites older hens.

 

[vfem]

10 years is the average expectancy for chickens. They can lay well the first 3 years and then slow down dramatically. A 10 year old hen can lay an egg. I don't plan on getting rid of mine for anything.