Ettore.fin
In the Brooder
What do you do when your chickens stop laying? and at what age do they stop laying, I've got one three year old and two under a year so I don't think I'm in danger now.
What do you do when your chickens stop laying?
- Thread starter Ettore.fin
- Start date
Hens can produce at 4, 5 &6 years or beyond....however the rate and quality of that production drops after the second or third laying cycle (second cycle yields steady production of good, large eggs....first cycle can be sporadic at first with regards to frequency and size).
I, personally, start a whole flock in year one....year two I start half that number. When the younger birds start laying the older birds are starting their first molt and start to slow or stop. I sell half the older birds. The new layers lay through the winter and the older girls pick up as the days get longer in the spring. I start more chicks and the oldest girls are sold just as their second cycle starts to close at the onset of their next molt.
I, personally, start a whole flock in year one....year two I start half that number. When the younger birds start laying the older birds are starting their first molt and start to slow or stop. I sell half the older birds. The new layers lay through the winter and the older girls pick up as the days get longer in the spring. I start more chicks and the oldest girls are sold just as their second cycle starts to close at the onset of their next molt.
I end up going to Tesco to buy eggs 
Sorry, someone had to say it! Hello from Portsmouth!
I think they should carry on until 5 or 6, maybe even longer but gradually decreasing in production.
Sorry, someone had to say it! Hello from Portsmouth!
I think they should carry on until 5 or 6, maybe even longer but gradually decreasing in production.
I have found the egg quality also decreases, the whites get very thin and when you go to cook them, the yolk comes out the them. I love the Old Mare's idea, now if I could just get my predators to accommodate me. Just kidding
I constantly rotate younger birds into my flock, and remove the older ones.
My BA hen, Jolene, will be 8 years old in May barring any disasters 
She still lays about every 10 days to 2 weeks. Other hens are coming 5, 4, and one year old, so staggered ages and laying capabilities.
My girls are pure pets. All have names, all have forever homes with me regardless of their laying status. The direction I take is to value these hens (and most critters) for pleasure they bring me and what I can learn from them, not for any perceived economic value. JMHO.
She still lays about every 10 days to 2 weeks. Other hens are coming 5, 4, and one year old, so staggered ages and laying capabilities.My girls are pure pets. All have names, all have forever homes with me regardless of their laying status. The direction I take is to value these hens (and most critters) for pleasure they bring me and what I can learn from them, not for any perceived economic value. JMHO.
Same here.....the older hens, and the extra cockerels, go to stew/soup/stock.
- Mar 22, 2016
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Random question: Why does everyone seem to say they make stew out of the chickens they process? Doesn't anyone roast chicken anymore?
Random question: Why does everyone seem to say they make stew out of the chickens they process? Doesn't anyone roast chicken anymore?
I think it's because they're talking about older hens, which are tougher. Roasters are usually younger birds.
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