Can a broiler bird live out a normal, full-length life?

[Molpet]

I kept one hen back for breeding.When I had them a few weeks old, I read that if you feed them what they can eat in 10-20 minutes 2x a day and make them free range, they can live for a year or 3. I raised them with layers and they had to hunt for food in a 70 x 100 ft yard.
Mine started laying in Sept at almost 6 months old. She quit by the end of oct. Winter that year was snowy and she didn't get out much and put on weight. She died before she started laying again at a day short of being a year. I did hatch out 4 of 9 eggs, 3 roos and 1 pullet. One roo died at 14 months.

 

[kinkachy000]

I kept one hen back for breeding.When I had them a few weeks old, I read that if you feed them what they can eat in 10-20 minutes 2x a day and make them free range, they can live for a year or 3. I raised them with layers and they had to hunt for food in a 70 x 100 ft yard.
Mine started laying in Sept at almost 6 months old. She quit by the end of oct. Winter that year was snowy and she didn't get out much and put on weight. She died before she started laying again at a day short of being a year. I did hatch out 4 of 9 eggs, 3 roos and 1 pullet. One roo died at 14 months.

Thank you so much for this information, it is very helpful. She is already bedding down quite a bit, to the point where the adult feathers haven't even grown in yet. I only have a 20x10 run for her too. I'm now thinking that I won't have too long with her, but nevertheless I will give her an amazing life.

 

[Jennifer Cappi Williams]

Maybe look for a bird diaper for her and make her a house pet so you can her can enjoy her possible short life to her fullest. Maybe a Avian vet may can tell you some sort of diet food to prevent her from growing so fast.

 

[Jennifer Cappi Williams]

http://www.flightquarters.com/bird-diapers/category/chickens.html

 

[Jennifer Cappi Williams]

 

[kinkachy000]

Maybe look for a bird diaper for her and make her a house pet so you can her can enjoy her possible short life to her fullest. Maybe a Avian vet may can tell you some sort of diet food to prevent her from growing so fast.

I would LOVE to have a house chicken, but sadly, it would never fly here. My father is already saying, "you gotta get them chickens outta this house! We ain't no farm!" I don't think I have any avian vets around here, but I will be researching more on a healthy diet for her.

 

[Jennifer Cappi Williams]

I hear the same thing from my boyfriend... so I am looking to buy a small farm.

 

[Haihai]

WE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE! The kids did broilers for a 4h project last year and we had two extra after the auction, we kept them they even lay eggs! They only get to eat in the morning then the food gets taken away and they free range

 

[kinkachy000]

WE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE! The kids did broilers for a 4h project last year and we had two extra after the auction, we kept them they even lay eggs! They only get to eat in the morning then the food gets taken away and they free range

Thank you. I keep this advice!

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Thank you for this! It gives me hope! She will definitely be free ranging, and and I have a 20x10 run for when she can't be free ranged. And she doesn't seem to be that much of a piggy, but I'll definitely watch what she eats. I look forward to if you find the website! Thank you again!

This is the only one I could find that gives specific instructions (you might have to download it to make it work):
https://www.farmsanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Animal-Care-Large-Breed-Chicken.pdf