Longevity of Chickens

[stevejr]

How many years, or cycles, will the average chicken lay for? I have 3 RIR's that are over a year and I wasn't sure how many more seasons to expect them to lay for.

Thanks.

 

[mdbokc]

Starts to fall off after the second year. At 6 years, if still alive, they still give you one every now and then. And they are still cute.

 

[mdbokc]

3 and 4 year old hens often have periods of 3 - 5 eggs, then take 4 or 5 days "off" before the next bunch begins.

 

[Akane]

2 or 3 good years. 1 or 2 ok years. Then eggs start to become uncommon. Most who are really concentrating on egg production replace their hens after 2 to 3 years and at least by 4 years. A chicken will live quite awhile though if they are kept safe and not culled for lack of eggs. Some people have 8-10year old chickens.