is a 2 year old hen still able to breed?

[MrViskers]

I went out to a farm owned by a guy who was selling Rumpless Araucana pairs they were all over 1.5 years old, it was his breeding stock he was getting rid of to replace with younger birds and he offered to sell me his 2 year old 'prized' breeding hen for a good price and he told me she stills continue to lay about 3-4 eggs per week, I want to purchase her for breeding projects but do a hen's breeding chances decrease by year?

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Quote:
As long as she is laying eggs, they are able to be fertilized. It's the rooster that deminishes fertility each year until he is no longer fertile, but they should stay fertile until they are at least 3 years old...

 

[Animalian]

at that age her eggs would be pretty big too, I always hear small eggs are bad for hatching. My RIR's eggs are twice the size now she's 2 1/2 as opposed to her first 1 1/2 years or so.

Think of eggs like a chicken period. If she's still laying she hasn't reached menopause yet!

 

[onthespot]

Sounds like an excellent opportunity if you like the looks of his birds. Go for it. I have a hen that has to be around six years old now, still laying like crazy. A marans no less, which is supposedly an "iffy" layer breed. Mine lay really well.

 

[key west chick]

I have a 10 year old rooster who is still very fertile. And yup, as long as shes laying eggs, she can have chickies!

 

[al6517]

Yes she is still in her prime, I would get them if I were you. the hatchings will be fine.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I agree. She is hitting her prime. The hatching quality of older hens' eggs can decline (not necessarily absolutely will each and every time, but can decline). Check the first three categories of this link. They do not limit the problems caused by "Older breeders" to the roosters. But at 2 years old, she should do fine for at least a couple of more years.

Florida Incubation Troubleshooting
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/aa204