Oldest Hen Age and Breed

[Afterburner]

Well, we finished grieving and decided it was time to get more ladies. Unfortunately, the chick market is very competitive right now. I ended up purchasing three pullets: Barred Rock, Bardelever, Speckled Sussex. they are about three months old. I paid more than I wanted, but right now, it is a sellers market. Here are my pictures of the new arrivals. They currently living in my started coop, within eyesight of the established flock. They are a little shy, though the Barred Rock seems the most adventurous and friendly. The Bardelever is more reserved but still friendly. The Sussex is more skittish, but has been getting more friendly.

 

[bikechick722]

My oldest was a 8 yo RIR that I raised from day old chicks who passed away the morning after her (sister) flockmate a Black Jersey Giant passed the evening before, they were the last two of the six, and had been inseparable for almost 4 yrs.

 

[Bsmac]

My oldest was a 8 yo RIR that I raised from day old chicks who passed away the morning after her (sister) flockmate a Black Jersey Giant passed the evening before, they were the last two of the six, and had been inseparable for almost 4 yrs.

I love Jersey Giants!

 

[Afterburner]

I love Jersey Giants!

My first flock was Jersey Giant and a pair of Rhode Island Reds. The Jersey Giant was a great hen: she was a good layer and very friendly. Unfortunately mine developed arthritis/osteoporosis when she was 3.5 years old. Sadly, we had to have her put down by a friend of mine because she was in so much pain that we couldn't handle seeing her suffer.

 

[Bsmac]

My first flock was Jersey Giant and a pair of Rhode Island Reds. The Jersey Giant was a great hen: she was a good layer and very friendly. Unfortunately mine developed arthritis/osteoporosis when she was 3.5 years old. Sadly, we had to have her put down by a friend of mine because she was in so much pain that we couldn't handle seeing her suffer.

Jersey Giants are great hens! Like you said very friendly! I currently have 4 my two older ones who are 2 yo are lap chickens! Both at the same time! Sorry you had to have her put down, never easy to lose a bird....

 

[Afterburner]

To update this thread, as of today, my oldest hen is now a 8 year old Amerucana. She doesn't lay eggs anymore but leads the girls out of the coop and down into the run in the morning. She also makes sure everybody is up inside the coop at night. So, she is a great den hen.

My new arrivals have officially started laying eggs, hurray. They were quite rapidly accepted into the flock and generally roost with the den hen. So, overall, the integration has been quite uneventful. As a bonus, the new arrivals lay eggs in a separate nest, so there are fewer conflicts during egg laying time.

 

[Bsmac]

That` s all good!

 

[Tookie]

To update this thread, as of today, my oldest hen is now a 8 year old Amerucana. She doesn't lay eggs anymore but leads the girls out of the coop and down into the run in the morning. She also makes sure everybody is up inside the coop at night. So, she is a great den hen.

My new arrivals have officially started laying eggs, hurray. They were quite rapidly accepted into the flock and generally roost with the den hen. So, overall, the integration has been quite uneventful. As a bonus, the new arrivals lay eggs in a separate nest, so there are fewer conflicts during egg laying time.