Molting Chickens!

[UK Chicken rancher]

To reply to Urban dreamer

On the note of egg laying decreases with age: Two of my birds are over two years old. How bad dose laying decrease with age and what do you normally do with them when they reach three and beyond? (note: I am very attached to my birds)

The information I have found says that at 3 years old they decrease in egglaying 20% each year thereafter. I'm sure there is some varying breed to breed, chicken to chicken, but is the majority. Many people on here seem to keep them for pets as they age, I on the other hand am a firm believer in multi purpose and will be putting mine in the stew pot when they reach 3.​

 

[urban dreamer]

That's what most people tell me. I just don't know if I can take the girls out. They are my pets, and I am only allowed to have four, but I want eggs too. Even if my DH did it I wouldn't be able to eat them.

Well you win some you lose some I guess. My little pullet and my one year old will keep me satisfied until I am able to have my "super-dooper-dream-chicken-farm".

 

[urban dreamer]

Sorry to hijack your post Tricia

 

[UK Chicken rancher]

Yes, it's not fun butchering them, but they do taste good! Yes, thanx for sharing your post with other topics Tricia!

 

[Tricia's Triple Z]

LOL, No problem about the hijack. It is starting to get cold at nights, I might close the little doors at night to protect the molting ones. When my parrot molts I roll the feathers to help him along, it doesn't hurt, I think that he actually likes it. I may try it with the girls, if they can sit still for long enough, if I have food they will!!