Sarahsausage Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 On average how long do ex-batts live for? I guess mine are about two years old and I've had mixed responses ranging from 5 years to 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 I am sure that someone with more knowledge will come along.....but I do know that it does depend if chickens are hybrid or pure breeds. A hybrid I understood lives 2-4 years. A pure breed lives longer. This is because hybrids are bred to be heavy layers. As battery hens as far as I know are generally hybrid, the answer would be 2-4 years....bearing in mind that the poor little darlings often have worn out bodies...so their life span would be compromised by that.... Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahsausage Posted June 18, 2009 Author Share Posted June 18, 2009 Aah thank you Henhathnofury, poor ex-batts hey Least they'll have a happy retirement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 A hybrid I understood lives 2-4 years. Is that all ? I thought it was a bit longer, typically 4-5 years ?? Mine are 2.5 years - I am hoping they will live a few more years yet. H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 It really varies from one hen to the next, but as Henhathnofury has said, pure breeds tend to last longer than hybrids. I have a pure breed hen, who is 5 years old, still lays the odd egg and happily pootles around the garden. I have known hybrids who retire from laying at about 2.5 years then last for another year or two, and others who keel over from a heart attack relatively young (chooks have quite weak hearts). Ex-batts tend not to last so long because of the enforced laying conditions they've been in. It's a piece of string question really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 It really depends on the hen and possibly the battery 'farm' she came from. 3 of my ex-batts had 8-9 months of freedom before they died so that would make them about 2-2.5 years old. Lucy only managed 2 months on the outside though. However, Bartel had 2 years (and 5 days) of freedom before she died and Hatpin has had 2 years and 3 weeks and is still going strong. By contrast Ping, my original Omlet Pepperpot hybrid who has lived like a queen since the age of about 16 weeks, is nearly 5 and was still sporadically laying until November last year. I think she may have found the secret to eternal life.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 Saffy was 18month old when she arrived and is still laying well a year later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 So do we need a 'who has the oldest hen?' thread? Mine are max 21 months old, so all babies here. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyhen Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 My Betty hen (bluebelle hybrid) is 4 1/2 now and still laying most days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 My Betty hen (bluebelle hybrid) is 4 1/2 now and still laying most days. My bully bluebelle is 20 months and has laid once since I put her in isolation last Sunday for being a naughty bully! I am not convinced if this is a reduction, or just her poor laying is covered up by the others. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poached Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 3 of my hybrids are 5 and a half years old and 2 still lay eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
