Keeping Older Hens

[windychicks]

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?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

A lot of people just keep them past Mac laying production. You’ll get 7-8 years out of some while others live a lot longer.

 

[Mrs. K]

You might consider selling some birds to people who do not need a real productive bird. And that makes room for some new birds.

 

[red horse ranch]

I still have the 1st chick I ever hatched. She will be 12 years old soon. All my hens live out their natural life here and a lot of the roosters do too. Most of them will live to 8 or 9 years old. I do add a few new chickens every year to replace the old ones that have died.

 

[aldarita]

I think it all depends on how much space you have to add chicks when your older hens slow their egg production down without overcrowding. I have kept chickens for seven years and add few chicks every year, I don't cull my old hens, my oldest are 6 years old and some of them are still laying.
I have three yards with their own coops and runs (total of 22 chickens), I usually add the chicks to the yard that has less chickens. The biggest yard has 10 hens and 1 rooster, most of my old girls are there.
I believe the important point here if you are planning to keep your old ladies is to not overcrowd and plan ahead for integration when you add new chicks

 

[Kessel23]

I have never culled a healthy bird just because they were old. I let them stay around until they die.

 

[Cadence A Waller]

For me I happily let my chickens live out their lives. Though since I usually free range, a lot of the time my chickens get picked of by predators. My girls aren't that old yet though. (the oldest of them being close to 3 years) Like you, I don't think that I would have the heart to cull my hens once the stop laying.

 

[fldiver97]

All of my chickens are 5 years and older. The oldest is 10, she still laid eggs last year, not sure if she’ll continue this year. My 5-8 year old gals don’t lay daily but still 2-4 eggs a week per bird on average. They have stopped laying during winter though. I have added chickens after losses but I’ve never had more than 10 chickens

 

[Shadrach]

I let them live the natural course of their lives unless they become to sick to cope.
Eldest here is a bit over 9 years old now and the younger ones lay the bulk of the eggs.
If you go on for long enough you can manage your flock so there are always old teaching the young and the young doing the work.

 

[Sungrove Farmstead]

We plan to let ours live out their lives, and get some new chicks every 2 years to keep the laying going...we have them for pets as much as egg production