New to chickens

[lvoldeck]

Hey all...just wanted to introduce myself. My family is new to chickens, though I've been following this site for about a year and I have a few neighbors that keep them. We picked up our girls yesterday: two Golden Buff Orpingtons, two Silver Laced Wyandottes and a Golden Laced Wyandotte, all about 4 weeks old. They were a little squirrelly at first, but relaxed with some handling. I'm trying to decide if I'll be able to eat them one day if they stop laying! Anyone know how long chickens live if left to live out their natural life? lol

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas and

! Pleased you joined us! I have heard of chickens living for 7-8-9 years, maybe longer. Of course their laying will decrease with the years and eventually stop altogether. So, you got some time before you have to make any tough decisions. Good luck to you and have fun!!

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!!

Glad to have you aboard!!

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!

 

[lvoldeck]

Wow, thanks for the warm welcome! I hope the rest of the site's users are as friendly.

 

[graciesmum]

Welcome to byc

 

[NCC-21]

Hi! I am a new member as well from NW Pennsylvania. I was raised with chickens and have had some long lived birds. 12yrs being the longest (some type of bantum) As far as consuming them at an old age they will be tough. I suggest brining the bird for at least 24 hours and prepare it into soup. We smoked a rooster that had gotten too frisky with the hens. Tough as leather to eat until we boiled him down with some veggies. yummy.