This is a hot topic in my house at the moment! We have 6 hens, this is their first year of lay.. however my husband says we will eat them when they no longer lay eggs... I think that's AWFUL! We also have 3 kids who have named them and treat them as 'pets'.. I understand the circle of life but these are pets, eggs are a bonus! Does anyone keep their chickens after egg laying has stopped? How long does a chicken live for?