When chickens stop laying?

[SurferchickinSB]

I was just wondering if people could share their personal experiences with me about how old their chickens were when they stopped laying. I have looked on the Internet and it basically says that heritage breed chickens lay productively for between 5 to 7 years. Other articles I have read say they only lay eggs for two or three years and then drastically slow down. I know their lifespan can be much longer and I plan on keeping my chickens even after they stop laying because I consider them more like pets.I would appreciate it very much if people can share their own stories.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You will see your best production for the first two seasons. After that production starts to fall off. Every hen is different so it's hard to give hard statistics. Most of mine start laying more sporadically from 3-6 years before stopping, although some will occasionally lay a few during the early spring.

So you can count on eggs for 1-3 years, than I wouldn't count on them. Feeding can affect laying as well. Feeding a higher ration can help hens optimize production, I like 18%.

Older hens should not be fed a layer as they don't need all that extra calcium. I personally feed everyone an All Flock with a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs and they can self regulate it themselves.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

You will see your best production for the first two seasons. After that production starts to fall off. Every hen is different so it's hard to give hard statistics. Most of mine start laying more sporadically from 3-6 years before stopping, although some will occasionally lay a few during the early spring.

So you can count on eggs for 1-3 years, than I wouldn't count on them. Feeding can affect laying as well. Feeding a higher ration can help hens optimize production, I like 18%.

Older hens should not be fed a layer as they don't need all that extra calcium. I personally feed everyone an All Flock with a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs and they can self regulate it themselves.

Thank you for your story and the information. My chickens are not quite a year old and I prefer to hear original stories rather than looking at the Internet for statistics because I feel that maybe most of those statistics are from people that raise chickens just for eggs. My chickens are laying like crazy! I don’t really even eat that many eggs, but right now I am getting seven or eight a day from my eight chickens.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What breeds? Certain breeds lay longer into their lives. Others like sex links lay big up front but burn out quickly. I personally like buff Orpingtons for longevity, both in age and in laying.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

I have a Lavender Orpington, Buff Orpington, Barnevelder, Black Australorp, Black Copper Marans, GLWyandotte and 2 SGDorkings.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have a Lavender Orpington, Buff Orpington, Barnevelder, Black Australorp, Black Copper Marans, GLWyandotte and 2 SGDorkings.

That's a good mix that should give you eggs for a few years. I have all those breeds except for the dorking.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

I just like watching them! They are so beautiful and they follow me around more than my dogs do, lol!I wanted all different kinds with pretty feathers. They look so beautiful hanging out in my yard! My 2 Dorkings lay 13 bright white eggs every week! When I bought them their description said they only lay 2-3 eggs each week.

 

[The Lazy L]

When there is a noticeable and sustain drop off in egg laying, 2 to 2 1/2 years. The following winter the chickens are terminated and replaced with a new flock in the spring.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I just like watching them! They are so beautiful and they follow me around more than my dogs do, lol!I wanted all different kinds with pretty feathers. They look so beautiful hanging out in my yard! My 2 Dorkings lay 13 bright white eggs every week! When I bought them their description said they only lay 2-3 eggs each week.

Mine stay around and live out their lives. Some longer than others. We occasionally butcher an extra rooster if necessary, but otherwise I like older birds. They add wisdom, and stability to my large flock.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

When there is a noticeable and sustain drop off in egg laying, 2 to 2 1/2 years. The following winter the chickens are terminated and replaced with a new flock in the spring.

Oh, mine are just like pets that just happen to lay eggs right now. I eat chicken, but won’t be eating these chickens.