How quickly do chickens age?

[Scatty Hatti]

Hi. I have two chickens two and a half years old. I got them at 16 weeks and for two years they ran about and had loads of energy. Over the past say three months they have become a bit more lethargic - both will take dust baths and then nod off to sleep for a while, this, once or twice a day. Is chicken napping pretty routine as they grow older: are they just aging gracefully and like a few naps each day, or should I be concerned? Is this normal chicken behaviour? They forage quite a bit, dont eat layers' pellets or mash (I give them dari seeds, a tiny bit of suet, egg and cereal supplement into which I try and sneak some layers' mash) and a tea time treat of corn and a few sunflower seeds) but they no longer lay. Seem quite happy and healthy though, and perky in the mornings, generally sociable and no obvious signs of illness. Maybe they're a bit depressed? Got nice big garden to run around in and human interaction throughout the day but maybe two chickens is just too few?

 

[Yardfulla poopers]

In my experience, at that age , they slow down on laying but don't stop completely unless something is wrong. I would try getting more layer feed into their diet. It seems like you have been giving them more of a wild bird diet and they are not wild birds. They need layer feed to lay regularly.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They need layer feed to lay regularly

I would politely disagree with this. Or I would say it differently. If they are laying regularly, you can give them layer feed. Otherwise, it has too much calcium in it and can be hard on their organs, especially their kidneys. If they are not laying, that may be why they are not eating it. Try switching to an all-flock formula with no calcium. You can still put oyster shell in a separate vessel, and if they start laying they will help themselves to it. Layer feed does not MAKE them lay. It only provides the calcium they need IF they are laying. They always need good nutrition, however.

 

[rosemarythyme]

As far as the aging question, yes birds gradually slow down as they age. All my younger ones are far perkier than the older ones. Napping is normal but older birds may be inclined to lie down longer.

 

[AusHen]

Unless you have commercial hybrids I wouldn't call 2 1/2 years old or aging. it's odd they are no longer laying, but it looks like a lot of their diet are fillers you would offer seed eating parrots. I agree with BigBlueHen53, switching to a all flock feed or something that provides a better balanced diet might help
But yes aging birds to tend to slow down, although I don't typically see that until 4-5+ years except in my commercial layers

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

hmmm. I have to respectfully suggest your chickens may be malnourished. Do consider that commercial rations are carefully formulated to include everything chickens need to flourish. Consider feeding an all-flock ration with 20+% protein and all the minor vitamins and minerals. It's a complicated formula. And if you add a source of calcium in a separate feeder, they may even surprise you with a few eggs. My 5-y-o RIRs each still lay 5-6 eggs a week. Over the years I've had a few who were still laying at 9-10 y-o. Of course this does depend on the breed. Hybrids are not as productive into later years (nor as long lived) as heritage breeds but heritage birds are not as productive as hybrids in the early years. Still, 2 1/2 sounds awfully early to have quit laying entirely.

HTH

Rusty

 

[Scatty Hatti]

Hi everyone, started to reply and hit the wrong button, oops, sorry!
Thanks so much for your help and you are quite right..they ate layers for a year and a half but kept pestering me for treats and ended up playing me to the point where the layers just sat in the feeder and yep, the egg-laying stopped. I am going to reintroduce the layers slowly, say over the next month or so and cut back on the seeds...as my husband says, if theyre hungry they will eat them eventually. Will send an update end of May. Cheers all.

 

[UncleDougsChickens]

I have some 7-8 year old girls who haven't aged a day. They don't gain years, they gain weight. I've also lost some who were about 2-3 years as well. As the vet told me, chickens aren't bred to live long lives. If you can take them to the vet then great but Ive done that 3 times and thousands of dollars later, all 3 had some tumor/cancer. It kind of made me feel like I was failing them because I couldn't save them but I did save 2 recent ones so can't lose them all I guess.

 

[Mrs. K]

All life forms have considerable differences in individual ages. I have had chickens die at all sorts of different ages. Sometimes perfectly healthy one day, and dead the next. It happens.

Do not try and make them live forever. Just give them a good life today.

 

[StinkyAcres]

hmmm. I have to respectfully suggest your chickens may be malnourished. Do consider that commercial rations are carefully formulated to include everything chickens need to flourish. Consider feeding an all-flock ration with 20+% protein and all the minor vitamins and minerals. It's a complicated formula. And if you add a source of calcium in a separate feeder, they may even surprise you with a few eggs. My 5-y-o RIRs each still lay 5-6 eggs a week. Over the years I've had a few who were still laying at 9-10 y-o. Of course this does depend on the breed. Hybrids are not as productive into later years (nor as long lived) as heritage breeds but heritage birds are not as productive as hybrids in the early years. Still, 2 1/2 sounds awfully early to have quit laying entirely.

HTH

Rusty

The behavior you are describing is not normal, especially for 2 1/2-year-old hens. They are very likely not getting all the nutrients they need and are low on energy because of that. I have very active 8-year-olds who are laying eggs regularly. My hens barely get any treats other than whatever they find foraging. Don't give in to their begging!