Keeping Older Hens

[tiny_tam]

My flock in the Avatar have lived for 6--8 years. The remaining three hens are not laying, but I am keeping them until they pass away naturally (unless they are suffering and I have to euthanize them) and I have recently brought in five new girls and one male. They accepted the hens quite quickly, although the old girls are not keen on the young male's attentions. I hope in future to allow the hens to raise their own chicks to replace the layers so I don't have to introduce new birds. The male is not related to them.

 

[danceswithronin]

It depends for me. Going forward I plan on selling off hens that I'm not as attached to between 1-2 years old (once they are proven layers and can be sold for more), and holding on to my favorites - either hens that are particularly tame, or ones that are particularly useful (best layers/best broodies).

 

[Thechickentrainer1999]

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?

Many people keep theirs as pets. Sadly mine was killed last year at the age of 6. Breaks my heart everyday to think about her because I tried so much to keep her safe and spent so much time with her. She laid eggs a almost everyday at 6. I've read reports that they can live til their 20s but the oldest documented was 16 named Matilda. They make very great pets. I hug mine almost everyday. Have a blessed night. GOD bless. JESUS CHRIST loves you.

 

[Thatothercrazychickenlady]

I have a 6 year old black sex link. Purchased her with 3 red sex link lost one last year and another this year. My last one is 5 and she still lays daily! I guess they aren’t really bred to last long. I’m hoping to find them a retirement home soon, they really wouldn’t be impressed if I added my 20 new chicks in with them.

 

[so lucky]

About 3 years ago I gave away my remaining chickens...I think 5, to a lady on Craig's List, because I was planning a vacation (away!) and had foot surgery scheduled that winter, as well. I had lots of responses to the Craig's List ad, so I think that is a good way to rehome them. Now this spring I got itchy palms to get chickens again, so I have 8 three-week old chicks. I just put them out in the coop a couple days ago with a heat lamp, in case it gets cool at night.
My issue of keeping chickens till they die of old age, is that it's hard to see if they are in pain. By the time you see it, they are really slipping. We have had to put two hens out of their misery. My DH just shot them, at close range, in the head. Sounds brutal, but it was probably the best way to go for all of us. (He didn't enjoy it any better than I did)
Predators, neighbor dogs, got a few over the years, as well.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I gave some hens to a friend, years later she gave them back because they moved. The older hens became the instant top hens at our coop. They are very grumpy.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Hi, I only cull my birds when they are sick with no recovery options or suffering. When my girls stop laying I just consider them in hen-tirment. I allow my girls to live full comfortable lives after they stop laying. I have found that a hen can offer much even after she stops laying. They work my gardens for me, keep the bug population on my plants at a minimum, are often good mothers and keep my company in my backyard.

But, then again when I got my chickens I got them for the purpose of pets. Pets they remain even after their egg laying days are done.

My oldest girls are 9 years old. I have 5 from my original flock, they lay pretty well still during the warmer months and when the is more day light. During the winter there is nothing in the nesting boxes from them. But that is okay and I don't mind.

I love my girls and they are quite attached to me. So for me, I let them enjoy there twilight years in the happiness of my gardens and bathing in the sun.

Its ok to not want to kill your birds just because they are old. They can offer you a lot another ways beyond the egg.

 

[littlebarngirl]

We've only had chickens for 3 years, but they are very much part of our family. We name them all, they respond to their names, and the grandkids keep tabs on them even though they live in another state and only visit occasionally. That being said, we honor those of our flock that have passed from such things as summer dehydration, hawk attack and worms. RIP Nori, McMuffin, Ms Frizzle, Nugget, and Chance. Black Bean and Cornelius are currently the seniors outback, they are two of the original 6. These girls are definitely a good example for our new chicks! Cornelius especially got excited to see we had 4 new girls to move in last week.

 

[Newyorkrita]

View attachment 1783527

Cute picture with all the hens following along after the roto tilling!!

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Cute picture with all the hens following along after the roto tilling!!

Thanks! yes, they know what the tiller is. They love the tiller, they know the bounty that awaits them when the tiller comes to the backyard. Over the years they have learned to line up and gobble up all the worms as the tiller disturbes the ground.