8 year old hen laying eggs again

[andythescot]

Hello!

So my old lady Easter Egger (she turns 8 this spring) has laid two eggs so far this week (in the dead cold of the so-called polar vortex no less). Should I be worried? I have read that laying at an older age can cause health issues for hens. I keep trying to tell her she’s retired but she won’t listen! Lol

Last spring I had a “henaissance” of her and two other old ladies regularly laying for a couple weeks after a year or two of almost never laying at all.

What’s the oldest chicken you’ve had that lays and did you have any egg-related health issues with them?

If she has more eggs to lay still I guess she needs to get them out but I’m scared she’ll become egg bound or prolapse or something.

Thank you!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

That is amazing! I have a 6 year old....can't remember the last time I got an egg from her!! She will spend her retirement with the rest of the flock.... I never get rid of my retirees! ♥

 

[Melky]

I wouldn’t assume they could get egg bound unless happened in hx. If don’t want to lay for this reason can give hormones or spay. Otherwise, I would just take the eggs when you get them.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hello!

So my old lady Easter Egger (she turns 8 this spring) has laid two eggs so far this week (in the dead cold of the so-called polar vortex no less). Should I be worried? I have read that laying at an older age can cause health issues for hens. I keep trying to tell her she’s retired but she won’t listen! Lol

Last spring I had a “henaissance” of her and two other old ladies regularly laying for a couple weeks after a year or two of almost never laying at all.

What’s the oldest chicken you’ve had that lays and did you have any egg-related health issues with them?

If she has more eggs to lay still I guess she needs to get them out but I’m scared she’ll become egg bound or prolapse or something.

Thank you!

Can you link us the information that says laying at an older age can cause health issues?

I would leave her be. Just monitor her like you would any other hen - see that she's eating/drinking, has oyster shells, etc.

Don't borrow worry about what can happen, just be prepared. Can an older hen have reproductive problems, become egg bound or have a prolapse? Yes. Same as any other pullet or hen can.

 

[RonP]

I have a Belgian D'Uccles now in her 14th year.

The last few years, including her 13th year, she laid around a dozen or so beautiful eggs per year. As my only bantam, they were easily identified. Perfectly smooth, hard, small, white eggs.

My Barred Plymouth Rock now in her 13th year, is currently molting. I have observed her in the nest box. Her eggs are not as easily identified, but there may have been successful attempts.

 

[andythescot]

Can you link us the information that says laying at an older age can cause health issues?

I would leave her be. Just monitor her like you would any other hen - see that she's eating/drinking, has oyster shells, etc.

Don't borrow worry about what can happen, just be prepared. Can an older hen have reproductive problems, become egg bound or have a prolapse? Yes. Same as any other pullet or hen can.

Uhh now that I’m thinking about it I believe my sources are entirely anecdotal

I think I’m mostly just astounded and mayyyybe being a worry wart

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Uhh now that I’m thinking about it I believe my sources are entirely anecdotal

I think I’m mostly just astounded and mayyyybe being a worry wart

LOL Well, I think it's great she is still laying eggs! I would just enjoy her and let her do her thing

 

[ChickNanny13]

Wow, I was not aware chickens could live "that" long (RonP).

 

[GC-Raptor]

So my old lady Easter Egger (she turns 8 this spring) has laid two eggs so far this week (in the dead cold of the so-called polar vortex no less).

I have a Belgian D'Uccles now in her 14th year.

My Barred Plymouth Rock now in her 13th year,

You two are doing an amazing job taking care of your Flocks. Congrats. GC

 

[tacothechicken]

My eldest surving bird was a Delaware of 8 years old who layed regularly every summer and every once in a while during winter whith no lighting! Ironically I lost her to going Broody(first time in her ENTIRE LIFE) outside the coop while I was out of town whith 13 eggs coyote didn't even eat all the eggs! So no need to worry your hens not abnormal lol just a lady taking up post as a working woman in the hen world a bit longer