when is a hen "over the hill"

[petlove]

Quote:
Thanks bills. I am wondering, however, where the fine line is between stewing and roasting. I am new at this and am mainly into the egg laying. I don't want to waste the hens. Most of what I ordered are dual purpose.

 

[tx_dane_mom]

Geeze I had no idea it declined THAT quickly....
Thanks for asking

 

[Katy]

My grandma used to make "pressed chicken" out of her old laying hens. It was a seasoned sandwich spread.

I've got several hens that are 5 and 6 and they still lay a couple of times a week.

 

[farm_mom]

Older birds are a lot tougher than most people are used to but they are more flavorful. Our older laying flock was also in the middle of a molt when we butchered them, so we skinned them and removed the breasts for slow cooking. I like to let them cook in the crock pot all day on low. That way they're tender and flavorful. We ground up most of our dark meat this last time and use it to make burgers, tacos, meatloafs etc..... anywhere you'd use ground beef/chicken/turkey and you'd never know the meat comes from older birds.

 

[Justino]

my old RIR lays whenever its not freezing outside and shes ben doin that 4 8 years now

 

[zippychickens]

That is great information. My 15 Araucanas are 2 1/2 weeks old. I am looking forward to collecting the green eggs and so are my children. I had no idea that chickens would decrease their egg laying after just 2 years.

 

[wynedot55]

a hens laying life is between 3 an 4 years.then after that their egg laying dropps off pretty good.4yrs is as long as id keep them in the flock.then id put emm in the pot.

 

[petlove]

Great information. I love to eat chicken as well. I think I'll get the freezer fixed. Right now it is for storage. I'll always be able to get new baby chicks. I need to find a processing business near where I live.

 

[ella]

The majority of my 16 hens are 5 years old this spring I'm getting 6-8 eggs a day. That's a dozen every other day and more than enough to pay for their own feed.

My one surviving gold sex link (the others did die from egg related complications) is still laying wonderfully and her daughter is keeping right up with her.

The other really good older layers are my Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds. The Black Giants and Silver Laced Wyandottes are still on hiatus from the winter.

That's my personal experience.