When do Hens peek in egg production?

[scrambledmess]

I found someone on Craig's list that is selling laying hens for $1 each. I don't know their breed. I will be calling the owner on Monday to find out more information. The hens are two years old and come from an egg farm. So have these hens probably passed their prime and that is why so cheap?

 

[Mahonri]

It all goes down hill after age two.

My brother who raises chickens says, "You raise laying hens for two years, then you stew them." After two years they don't give you enough eggs to pay for the feed. So you figure out how big your flock is going to be, divide that in half and then you get that number of new chicks each year, and stew that many hens.

 

[scrambledmess]

Bummer. I kind of figured that was the case. I guess if I could stomach it we could purchase them for meat. But I don't think I am ready for that yet

Thanks for the response!