Six-years old and just laid an egg!

[Heidizzybean]

Pretty girl and nice eggs!!!

I had a gorgeous white Ameraucana hen named Marshmallow who was almost 8 years old when a fox got her in 2013.
Such a pretty and sweet hen she was. She laid at least 5 eggs a week and refused to stop. Lovely sky blue eggs they were.
I miss her; but have 8 Ameraucana chicks growing up in their brooder right now. And one looks just like her, named her Marshmallow II.

 

[azygous]

Good story! It gives me hope Lady Di will still be laying eggs at age eight! She has a tumor over her right eye, hard to see in the photo, but it doesn't appear to be hurting her other than making her eye bubble and water sometimes. I doubt it will kill her. She may live a long life, and keep laying.

 

[azygous]

Egg #5!

 

[Majd]

I have three really old hens.... tow are at least 8 years old.... the lay every day.... even one of them went broody three times last year and this year... still laying at least 5 eggs a week... the third one still lays about 10 or more eggs every spring and that's it..... but she has always layed as few (poor layer).... and these were the only survivors from the bad Newcastle disease years ago..... now I rebuilt my flock...
Very nice old lady..... nice eggs... hope she's still laying.... I was reading and had to post

 

[azygous]

My senior hen laid a sixth egg and then quit, although she still spends time in the nest every few days trying.

Are your eight-year olds from a private breeding source? My hen is from a hatchery. I've read that hens from private breeders lay longer and live longer, healthier lives than hatchery birds.

 

[Majd]

Yes... all of mty birds are from my own or have some blood from neighboring breeding projects... the do live healthier and longer lives.... we breed for good egg production (not excellent), hardiness, good instinct.... and some unique colors..

 

[azygous]

You have very pretty birds. I wish there were breeders here where I live. Hatcheries are my only option, sad to say.

 

[Majd]

Thanks!!

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Yeah I have the same experience with older hens. The famous "spring clutch" of five to ten eggs in a row. Sometimes there's an "autumn clutch" too. The clutches get smaller, the shells get brittle or nonexistent, the old lady gets slower and goes to bed earlier, but she can still control the younger hens with a well-aimed peck and a meaningful growl. And get outta her way if you're in her dusting area!

 

[Majd]

Hahahhaha that's funny!!!! It's true they go to bed earlier. ... lol....