HI,, do any of you retire your chickens (layers) after they finish laying, I think it is 2-3 yrs.? Do they only live 5-6 yrs. I will as I just can do away with Henrietta as she and the others are my family (Pets).
My hens have a home with me for life. That's just the way I am. But I am also just a small flock owner and eggs are not my primary reason for having chickens, just a very nice benefit. For those who rely on egg's and/or sell eggs it's not economical.
They can live longer than 6 yrs. I still have all my 6+ year old hens, they are more of my ornamental pets than livestock. But the roosters... I only have one that I'll never give away/stew.
I've heard of chickens living to 20 years and of chickens laying as late at 11 years old. They obviously don't lay at the same rate, but once or twice a week isn't bad for an older hen. Our birds (hens and roos) have a life long home here too. I've always said eggs are just a bonus...chickens are too wonderful not to have! And when they stop laying, its just one less thing to worry about (blowouts, internal laying, eggbound, etc.).
