eggs for how long

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mugins

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eggs for how long
« on: October 13, 2011, 13:48 »
just wondered how many years do a chicken lay eggs for and what to do with the chickens after they stopped laying

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JaK

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Re: eggs for how long
« Reply #1 on: October 13, 2011, 13:57 »
It depends on what breed the chickens are.

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mugins

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Re: eggs for how long
« Reply #2 on: October 13, 2011, 13:59 »
they are red warren

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Helenaj

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Re: eggs for how long
« Reply #3 on: October 13, 2011, 15:10 »
they are red warren

Well, they are not meat birds (too skinny), so you basically have three options:

1. Keep them just for the enjoyment of them - after all they've produced lovely eggs for you during their laying time and may still produce the odd egg or two in time.
2. Rehome them to someone who is willing to keep them into their old age.
3. Cull them.

Personally, I'm a sentimental keeper, so options 1 or 2 for me. It really depends on how you view your hens.

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mugins

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Re: eggs for how long
« Reply #4 on: October 13, 2011, 17:35 »
still dont know how long they lay for

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Aunt Sally

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Re: eggs for how long
« Reply #5 on: October 13, 2011, 18:01 »
About two years.

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Lindeggs

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Re: eggs for how long
« Reply #6 on: October 13, 2011, 20:42 »
Chickens don't (usually) just stop suddenly and never lay again.  Usually they will lay a lot of eggs in their first season then fewer each season after that.  Some people on this forum have mentioned they have 'elderly' hens who lay one egg a week, or who lay intermittently.

Hybrids like yours have a shorter laying life than pure breeds.  They will lay very, very well in their first year then tail off quickly.  Commercial operations would cull all their birds after about 18 months and bring in a whole fresh lot of young pullets.

I expect my chickens to be with me for life, so after they stop laying they will stay on as pets.

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cejx

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Re: eggs for how long
« Reply #7 on: October 14, 2011, 15:36 »
After they've stopped laying - giving them a lovely retirement to say thanks for all the eggs.  I couldn't dream of killing them just because they've become less useful!
**ginger•henna•margo•matilda•hattie••5 ex-bats & betty the rescued bluebelle**

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darkbrowneggs

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Re: eggs for how long
« Reply #8 on: October 14, 2011, 15:45 »
Wikipedia say the average lifespan is 7 to 8 years and the oldest officially recorded chicken was 16
link
I love my traditional clean legged English Cuckoo Marans

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helens-hens

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Re: eggs for how long
« Reply #9 on: October 14, 2011, 15:56 »
Crikey, for us sentimental owners can you imagine how many girls we would end up with if they all lived to Matilda's (the 16 year old hen) age  :ohmy:

Helen

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ChristyRose

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Re: eggs for how long
« Reply #10 on: October 14, 2011, 21:37 »
Same problem I am having.  Leggy the Leghorn must be about 4 or 5.  She lay a few in the spring (which were delicious as she can jump over the gate into 'my' bit of the garden) but thats all.  Then I have her children who must be about 3 or 4.  3 exbatts which must be coming up to about 3 1/2 - dont know if they are still laying and the the 3 orpingtons who are only 2 so hopefully are still laying.  Keeping 13 chickens who arnt laying much anymore - hmmmm.  I'll have to see how they are next spring....  But I dont know if I could get rid of them as they have become like pets.   ::)

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Lindeggs

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Re: eggs for how long
« Reply #11 on: October 15, 2011, 00:28 »
Where I live the maximum allowable number is six hens (no roosters).  My six pullets are doing a brilliant job at the moment, but in a few years... well I hope the council inspector can't count!  :unsure:  There's no way I'll be able to go back to supermarket eggs, and I've become too besotted with my 'girls' to get rid of any of them...

Maybe I'll get them little bunny suits and tell the inspector they're rabbits...



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