We have had hens since the first Fall we were here in 2003. We started with four.
They roost every night in this side of the barn, and this is where they lay their eggs - most of the time. They do have a very nicely decorated home don't they?
For all I know, one of our current eight hens is still from the original four, but we have lost one hen here and there to heat, cold, and a hawk strike one January.
Every couple of Septembers, we made the trip to Myersdale to get a few more hens to replace and expand the flock.
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| Carlene and Truffles at two days old in 2005 |
We also raised a couple day old chicks, and we still have Truffles who must be seven years old now. Pullets start laying at 20 weeks old. Hens best production is during their first two years and then they taper off. Hence the reason to replace them as they age.
What is impressive is that just a few days ago, during all this awful heat, all eight hens gave us an egg. And they are huge.
Not large.
Not Jumbo.
HUGE!
I'm betting it has a lot to do with being free range, pastured hens with about the best life ever.
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