How long will they lay?

[Devon07]

I have a X of BA and RIR and was curious if they would possibly be layers for 3 years? or more? ....I read where someone said 2 or 3 on thiers and thought maybe someone whould have a general rule or idea. I also seen where someone has an old 10 year layer too but Im looking for the norm on what to expect.



Mine are going to age out before they ever lay! <------- (sarcasm)

(funny) (frustrated)

 

[Egghead_Jr]

When I had hatchery reds they were laying 4 eggs per week when over two years. Knowing they would molt again that winter and likely only lay 3 to 4 eggs that next spring made soup of the situation. For me feeding all winter and then finally getting expensive eggs in spring the food for family was the better option.

As a general rule production laying birds won't be anything near economical over three years so culling pre-molt of second year is a normal practice. There are exceptions and have heard of hatchery birds still providing 5 eggs a week when six years old. Heritage birds tend to lay longer also. They are not as productive but continue their 5-6 eggs per week for more years. Again that's only a general rule and is subject to individual bird performance so you've got to know your birds and keep the ones that are producing to your standard (how many eggs for feed) and make better use of those that are not. Chicken gumbo is high on my standard for poor performance. Remember not to boil older chickens, cook in steaming water to low simmer or they get tough.

 

[Tuhmu]

Most breeds tend to drop production after two years, maybe laying a few eggs a week and then slowly decreasing.