how did you resolve the issue with them slurping up weeds? we are not allowed to free range(i would not anyway as we have tons of hawks and owls) and i like to give the ladies stickywilly, grass etc so they have greens. the grass is usually in a clump from weeding so that's probably safe🙄silly...
according to all info i have read and real experiences , it varies wildly by breed. we have some isa browns and amberlink that have 2-4 years for life expectancy