Three Year Old Australorps

[danielle2003]

I have 4 three year old Australorp hens. They have been excellent layers for the first two years, but now, for some reason, they aren't laying at all. Could it be because it's winter, and it makes their production stop? Lately, it has been getting below freezing at night, but then warms up to about 50-60 degrees during the day. Will they start laying again in the spring? Or, are they just simply getting "old"? I think their prime production is the first year or so. If, so, should they be meat birds, or are they too tough at three years old? Thank you!

 

[cherrynberry]

I have 4 three year old Australorp hens. They have been excellent layers for the first two years, but now, for some reason, they aren't laying at all. Could it be because it's winter, and it makes their production stop? Lately, it has been getting below freezing at night, but then warms up to about 50-60 degrees during the day. Will they start laying again in the spring? Or, are they just simply getting "old"? I think their prime production is the first year or so. If, so, should they be meat birds, or are they too tough at three years old? Thank you!

Yup. Its because the daylight hours are decreasing and they are taking a rest. It may be slightly because of their age also. They will likely start laying once the daylight hours are higher though. A lot of my older birds still lay. Typically, old hens that are butchered are better as soup birds.

 

[WallyG74]

I have 4 three year old Australorp hens. They have been excellent layers for the first two years, but now, for some reason, they aren't laying at all. Could it be because it's winter, and it makes their production stop? Lately, it has been getting below freezing at night, but then warms up to about 50-60 degrees during the day. Will they start laying again in the spring? Or, are they just simply getting "old"? I think their prime production is the first year or so. If, so, should they be meat birds, or are they too tough at three years old? Thank you!

I have 5 three year old Australorps. They practically quit laying during the short days. Things are picking back up. They are my oldest hens so when it’s gets full on Springtime I will reevaluate who’s laying what. Butcher or sell. Some people don’t mind buying an older hen.

 

[danielle2003]

Yup. Its because the daylight hours are decreasing and they are taking a rest. It may be slightly because of their age also. They will likely start laying once the daylight hours are higher though. A lot of my older birds still lay. Typically, old hens that are butchered are better as soup birds.

OK. How many eggs can I expect from the four of them when spring/summer comes?

 

[cherrynberry]

OK. How many eggs can I expect from the four of them when spring/summer comes?

I would say 2-3 a day. Both of my 6-7 year old Wyandottes still lay good. We get 1-2 eggs a day from the two (when they aren't molting or it isn't fall/winter).

 

[danielle2003]

I have 5 three year old Australorps. They practically quit laying during the short days. Things are picking back up. They are my oldest hens so when it’s gets full on Springtime I will reevaluate who’s laying what. Butcher or sell. Some people don’t mind buying an older hen.

Are Australorps good meat birds?

 

[WallyG74]

I really don’t know, but I will have to agree that any 3 year old chicken would probably qualify for soup or maybe the smoker.

 

[danielle2003]

I really don’t know, but I will have to agree that any 3 year old chicken would probably qualify for soup or maybe the smoker.

OK, thank you!

 

[cherrynberry]

Are Australorps good meat birds?

They are heritage birds and are dual purpose. Not "meat birds", but they can definitely be eaten. Our heritage birds all seem to dress well, but I am VERY naive in the butchering world. I have only processed 2 so....take this with a grain of salt. And yes, he was a soup chicken.

 

[WallyG74]

I do know that butchering a fresh chicken is much easier than cutting up a whole chicken from the grocery store cooler/freezer.