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Across the Fence:  Raising chickens  |
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chickensforme
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
Anne
Coopersburg
Pa
USA
90 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 25 2012 : 5:29:17 PM
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Been wanting to start raising a few chickens, but have a few questions.
l. How long do they live.
2. How long do they lay eggs.
3. After they stop laying, will they just stay with the rest of the
chickens.
Thanks Ladies.
Anne
" A dog's tail never lies"
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Sep 25 2012 : 6:53:47 PM
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#1, they can live up to 10 yrs, depending on breed, but not laying that whole time...
#2 again depending on breed, 3-4 plus years...
#3 yes they will stay with the rest, and you will need to deceide wether you want to continue to feed and maintain the old hens...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2012 : 03:49:15 AM
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I didn't know until very recently, but you can tell weather a hen is laying by her comb color.
Those that aren't laying, their combs are faded. Those that are, their combs will be a bright eye popping cherry red. It's most striking against a russet or black feathered bird. |
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2012 : 4:15:46 PM
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Some hens can live longer than 10+ yrs...Roo's they say can live up to 15 yrs
I have hens over 7 yrs old who still lay ever so often...& my ones that are over 5 still lay semi regularly...but this all depends on the amount of eggs they have that enter the ovum(sp)...All hens are born with a certain number of eggs that they can give thur out their life...once those are gone they can't produce anymore.....
Hens /chickens raised together can always be part of the flock whether they lay or not...chickens are very good at bonding with those with them & if separated can go down hill from loneliness.......If you have ever watched chickens you can see they all have little clicks, some may only have 2 hens & other clicks may have lots....I have one group of only 3 that never seem to leave each other......I have another of 2 that eat, sleep & run around together....its quite fun to watch them....
Yes there is research out there that states a light colored comb that is normally bright red can indicate the hen is not laying but the best way is to check the vent...if it looks like a big long smile they are laying if its small line they aren't.....Michele'
Chickens RULE!
hen #2622
theoldbatzfarm.blogspot.com |
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chickensforme
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
Anne
Coopersburg
Pa
USA
90 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2012 : 8:23:09 PM
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Tina, I am afraid to ask. When you said continue to feed and care for the older hens or .......
What does that mean? |
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2012 : 9:51:30 PM
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Anne, some chicken keepers will butcher their hens when they get past the egg laying stage, many do it cause of the cost to maintain a flock when many aren't laying.......Since I name all of mine I just can't butcher them...but that doesn't mean if they are sick or injured where I can't help them I do put them down, but I use chloroform so nothing can eat them & its a very quick death for them...it puts them to sleep & then they past...I had to do that to 2 hens today....hurt so bad to do it & I cried but I couldn't let them suffer anymore......I never raise chickens for butchering just for the eggs, partly cause I am not a big meat eater & second I get too attached to my girls......others though can see beyond that & realize the wonderful hens after laying can still benefit the family thur their meat......Now whatever you decide must work for you & hopefully by now you realize none of us would ever judge you for any decisions you make concerning your hens....Michele'
Chickens RULE!
hen #2622
theoldbatzfarm.blogspot.com |
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chickensforme
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
Anne
Coopersburg
Pa
USA
90 Posts |
Posted - Sep 27 2012 : 06:14:15 AM
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Michele,
Thank you for your reply. I never even thought of this part of raising chickens, I was just thinking how nice it would be to have fresh eggs everyday, now I have to re think about getting them. I have been in animal rescue for about 15 years, mostly dogs and cats, when the got sick I just took them to the vet and he euthanized. All very very sad but I still keep going and getting them. Again, thanks for the info.
Anne
" A dog's tail never lie's " |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Sep 27 2012 : 09:35:26 AM
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We have a friend who just loves chickens and doesn''t need the eggs necessairly, so any older hens we don't need, she is always more than willing to take.
I order new chicks about every other year just to keep things moving and to keep up with the older individuals that pass on from old age, predation or failure to thrive. When you free range, it's always a risk |
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NeeNee
True Blue Farmgirl
111 Posts
WhiTTneY
South point
Ohio
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - Sep 27 2012 : 10:38:58 AM
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I have a question, I been wandering about. I wanting to get chickens. An put them in my big back yard do lawn mowers bother them because I would still have to mow back there. Once I put the coop back there.
FaRmGirL SiStEr# 3203
~ The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. ~
~A Bible That is falling apart Probably belong to someone who isnt~
*Being fueled with self-determination can make us strive for great things.*
http://my2.tupperware.com/whittneyc
http://hislilwildflower.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/neeneec/ |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Sep 27 2012 : 3:22:22 PM
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Lawnmoweres wouldn't bother most chickens, they would get used to them pretty quick, if you start out with chicks, they would get used to the noise even faster...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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u.p.farmer
True Blue Farmgirl
170 Posts
annette
bruce crossing
michigan
USA
170 Posts |
Posted - Sep 30 2012 : 1:01:05 PM
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| As for telling who's laying or not also look for the comb that is flopped over this is a good thing. I do have breeds that have no combs so these birds you can also check the space between the back 2 bones on the area below the vent. A good layer will have the width of at least 2 fingers between those bones. As the birds get older the bones get closer together. |
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crittergranny
True Blue Farmgirl
1096 Posts
Laura
Lindrith
NM
USA
1096 Posts |
Posted - Oct 01 2012 : 6:10:56 PM
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My chickens usually live till the next bobcat, bear or coyote comes along and starts wiping them out. I usually lose a few before I can get rid of the varmit. My dad used to raise game chickens and he once had a rooster that lived to 14.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
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Across the Fence: Raising chickens |
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Raising chickens
