Keeping Older Hens

[Susan Dye]

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.

I wondered how close they would get to the tiller. My little Yorkie tries to attack it so I have to put him in the house or on a tie out. Didn't know if I was going to have to pen the hens up until I finished tilling. Looks like your girls have it all figured out

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

I wondered how close they would get to the tiller. My little Yorkie tries to attack it so I have to put him in the house or on a tie out. Didn't know if I was going to have to pen the hens up until I finished tilling. Looks like your girls have it all figured out

Hi, my girls are not afraid of the tiller, but they also know not to get too close. Kind of like the lawn mower, they are not afraid of that either but they don't get too close.

They for the most part follow behind it, that's where all the good stuff is alway. If one of the hens gets too close we just let go of the handle and it turns off like a lawn mower. No hens have ever been hurt in the 10 years we have had chickens and gardens.

 

[Susan Dye]

Hi, my girls are not afraid of the tiller, but they also know not to get too close. Kind of like the lawn mower, they are not afraid of that either but they don't get too close.

They for the most part follow behind it, that's where all the good stuff is alway. If one of the hens gets too close we just let go of the handle and it turns off like a lawn mower. No hens have ever been hurt in the 10 years we have had chickens and gardens.

Good to know

 

[BarbaraJean67]

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.

I'd love to see a pic of your senior girl. It's great that you have given her the best life a chicken could have. I didn't know hens could live that long.

 

[red horse ranch]

I'd love to see a pic of your senior girl. It's great that you have given her the best life a chicken could have. I didn't know hens could live that long.

They not only live that long, but Peep laid her last egg at 11 years old. Unfortunately she died last year, just 2 months shy of being 12 years old. I have her granddaughters tho so she lives on with us.

p.s. I think Peep was the exception and not the rule. I've had lots of 9 year old chickens but none of them have made it to 10 years old except for Peep.

 

[Crazy chicken lady Benowa]

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?

my Husband and I don’t have the heart to cull my flock either. When my son comes to visit he always jokes and say non producers go into the smoker. We plan to just let them live out their days with us. But our girls a super friendly. If they were not that might make a difference.