How well do your older hens lay?

[Pinky]

I have two game hens that are 4 years old.They still lay like they did when they were young.I think they get jealous when I come out to see the younger hens when they've layed an egg.

 

[Mrs MIA]

I sure wish feed was only $10/bag up here...

We pay almost twice that, and go through 150# of feed a week or more. Thus the need for younger laying hens. But then, if I only had a few for my own enjoyment and eggs, it probably wouldn't be an issue, and I'd probably keep a few younger ones around for eggs and keep the older ones as pets.

 

[Buzzy]

One of the chicken books I read said that you can have 7 year olds laying 2 or 3 a week.

My flock planning is based on that - I'm like you, if you live close to a small bunch you get attached. No way I'm going to cull the old girls so I try to get 2 or 3 new girls every 2 years, and plan to keep the older girls as lawn ornaments!

I totally understand the needs of production, though, and sometimes it's just not possible to keep em hanging on.

I don't have any old ones now due to weasel invasion one night. A devastation and sad time around here.

 

[digitS']

I have never kept chickens past their 2nd year - they have gone during that 2nd molt. The only exception was a 7 year-old Sebright that continued to a lay a few eggs but she was free-ranging all the time so I usually didn’t know what she was up to

.

Now, however, I'm thinking I need to re-assess my long-held decisions on keeping older hens.

I've seen other studies like this: An analysis by of production layers by University of California, Riverside (8 page, pdf) showed that:

1st laying cycle
Rate of lay during peak week 92%
Rate of lay @ 65 weeks of age 73%

2nd laying cycle
Rate of lay during peak week 84%
Rate of lay @ 105 weeks of age 68%

3rd laying cycle
Rate of lay during peak week 78%
Rate of lay @ 140 weeks of age 64%

As a BYC person, that doesn't look at all bad to me and I wouldn't be surprised if the rate of decline would stay about the same in later years of life

.

Steve

 

[AtRendeAcres]

a few things I do:

I keep my chickens in a tractor March/April to November (I move the tractor once a day they always have fresh grass!!! & I don't need to feed them!

their crops are full at night)
I do give them table scraps in the AM!

If I am going away I will leave food because the tractor won't be moved!

I feed them November till March/April

Bantams are 1/4 the size of Large Fowl yet they lay an egg 3/4 the size of a LF
(they eat less & forage even better!)
some breeds lay quit big for their size RIR, BO, NH, PR & SF that I know of! Feed & egg ratio is much better!


PoltryPress.com gives you Purina Feed coupon every issue buy 1 get $5 off second!

Austrolorps long gevity & excellent layers
Dominiques & Welsumers are known for their ablity to get their own food!

Joanne

 

[pascopol]

Quote:
I am looking to get some good layer Bantams.

What is BO, PR and SF?

I can figure RIR and NH

LOL

 

[cmom]

2 yr old RIR's 5 eggs a week

 

[blondiebee181]

I just got an older freebee Silver Laced Wyandotte off of an old friend of mine. She is about 5ish years and layed her first egg the day after we brought her home (I also have four 4 mo. old pullets) She layed the second in the nest box 2 days later but it's now going on five days since her last egg. She is sooo pretty and I am not concerned with cooking her or I wouldn't have taken her in the frst place. The lady used to have 2 hens, her and a Buff Orp until the Buff died (or was killed) and my friend thought "Silver" was lonely. She was a little moody with the other "teenagers" for her first week but they mostly get along well now. Is this normal old hen behavior or should I be worried that she's binding or something? Is there something else I should feed her? They all eat Layena now and get plenty of water because the temps are extra hot in Boise right now.

 

[AmyLM]

Hubby and I already talked about that... We will butcher the 'less friendly' ones first after they stop laying because lets face it... if they arnt nice they dont stay. Then we will look for 'pet homes' for our rare breed ones. A few wont be going anywhere!!

With in 5 years we are planning on selling our little texas mini farm and getting a much larger farm in california. And yes... we will be hauling all of our chickens with us... the 'keepers' anyway.

 

[blondiebee181]

Anyone?