How old to cull from the flock?

[gkeesling]

I've read that hens will start to reduce their egg laying around 3-4 years old. Unless your hens are mostly pets, how old do you let them get before you cull them from the flock and add new ones? Also, when you cull hens that are more than 3 yrs. old, what do you do with them? Are they to tough to eat at that age?

 

[Clay In Iowa]

I'm not there Yet but I plan on culling at 3 years. My mothers family kept 3,000 laying hens when she was young and they culled at 2 1/2 to 3 years. Over lapping new chicks so that they had continuous production.

As for what you do with them..... stew hens...... Use them in soups, stews, to make stock.... etc. They aren't really good for frying.