How many months/years to your hens lay eggs ?

[JackieinYorktown]

I have an assortment of heavy breeds- buffs, rocks, austrolorps and Wyandottes....
The info seems to be conflicting. I hate the idea of having to start over each year !
btw- I have 17 hens.

 

[speckledhen]

I have older ladies who are going on four years old and they all lay several times a week. If you pay attention to their health, they will probably lay for years. Someone on here had a 17 year old hen who still laid an egg occasionally!

I see you posted this in several different forums...please, no cross posting per BYC rules.

 

[SportTees]

I don't know but I think it may depend on the bird?

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

The hens will lay best the first year to 18 months. They also have the best fertility rates. After that the numbers go down. Our oldest hen is probably about 12 ish years old and she still lays every now and then. She is still a great sitter and mother though - right now she and another chicken hen are raising 14 Muscovy ducklings.

Steve in NC

 

[BushHog936]

Three years max for usefulness. Until they die, if its a pet.

 

[Mahlzeit]

All depends on the breed and particular bird. From what I have read they are born with all their eggs inside them. So once they have laid them all they will lay no more. I've had a chicken at 3 years old lay no more and I have a 7yearish polish hen who is still laying.