Keeping Older Hens

[path.otto]

My chickens were my retirement gift to myself. I never intend to get more than what I started with. Ok, I did get 4 more than what I started with but that's it! Seriously! Stop laughing...

At 67, I'm aware that my chickens could outlive me or I could become unable to care for them. It is my intent, however, that they continue to live their lives as ridiculously spoiled chickens for as long as possible.

 

[path.otto]

We have a small pet backyard flock. There would be anarchy if I tried to cull based on egg laying so I've made plans on keeping the freeloaders until they just fall over dead in the back yard. From natural causes of course.

Love this!

 

[JanetMarie]

I keep mine until they die of natural causes. The oldest one I've had was 9 years old. I add chicks periodically by broody hen(s).

Something to keep in mind in selling or giving away is you don't know what kind of situation they are going to. Some ways I've seen owners keep their chickens is how no chickens should ever be kept.

They have short lives and have provided eggs and deserve happy retirement.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I have a really nice chicken community here in my small valley. People know me and want chickens from me, I do have a hard time saying no sometimes, because people do implore me. I look at the situation, if I have a few older hens, and most of my 20 other chickens are young and spry, and a friend, asks if I can spare a few hens to keep their hen company and the flock will be more peaceful for the older hens, because it may be a smaller flock situation, and chance for the hen to be more spoiled, then yes, that is a good fit. I sleep very well at night about it.

 

[elmo]

Our girls are 9 and 10 years old. Still laying some in the spring, bless their little hearts. I am trying to make their retirement years as comfortable as possible. Hope there will be somebody around to do as much for me.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I have a gal friend who didn't have any chickens and wanted some, I gave her a little silky(all my other hens were much larger and the silky was overwelmed, plus my rooster was bigger.)Then my friend got eggs, The silky sat on eggs, when they hatched out, my friend had a flock. My friend still has the same hen, it is ten.

 

[cluckcluckhens]

I have three older girls that are 6 years old. There seems to be only one laying right now that I can tell and they are producing slower than last year. They will be 7 in September. They will live their life out here. We are getting chicks soon possibly four.

 

[memphis]

I have a 9 year old Speckled Sussex who will lay a few times a week in the spring. She still rules the flock & can run circles around most of the young birds. Shes a big sweetie. I'll sure miss her someday when shes gone. I also have a few 5 & 6 year olds in great shape and still laying regularly. They are Australorps and Barnvelders. I sure like my older ladies. Much more zen than the younger hens!!

 

[slackjawedyokel]

Dealing with this at our house too. Ours girls are 3or 4 years, I forget, so definitely slow on production. Due to our zoning, I'm only allowed 4 birds, so no room for newbies until these move on. I'd have no issue keeping them around as long as we could have others that were laying, but not the case...

 

[sehfergy]

Hi, I was reading the post about when to cull. I'm wondering if there's anyone out there that just keeps their hens and lets them live out their lives. If so, on average, how long do they live? I have a flock where the majority of hens have just turned 3. Egg laying has slowed for sure, but they're still producing. They aren't super friendly pets, but I don't think I have the heart to cull. That being said, I'd like to add some new birds and know i can't end up with too many! I have about eight 3 yr old hens and then some younger silkies that are laying good. Unfortunately I also have 3 silkie roos and one is actually really sweet. I guess I just want to know how many folks let their chickens live out their lives and if you do, do you also keep adding new girls?

we never cull. our hens free range which unfortunately has meant that several chickens have been nabbed by predators such that culling was never a practical consideration, but i wouldn’t be interested in culling anyhow as they are my pets. i have had chickens live to 7-8 years & die of old age as well. they are such a source of joy & yummy eggs, i feel like letting them live a good happy chicken life is the least i can offer. roosters are another story. if it is a good, non-aggressive helpful rooster he can stay. otherwise they get re-homed or eaten at our house. hope this helps.