Chickens in the Road - Topic: How old is your oldest chicken? http://chickensintheroad.com/forum/the-old-barn/how-old-is-your-oldest-chicken/ Simple:Press Version 5.2.2 How old is your oldest chicken? by mpoling http://chickensintheroad.com/forum/the-old-barn/how-old-is-your-oldest-chicken/#p105259 The Old Barn http://chickensintheroad.com/forum/the-old-barn/how-old-is-your-oldest-chicken/#p105259 I moved back to WV and kind of inherited him and a few hens from my mother.  They were a couple years old at the time.  I think the were black australorps, I am not a hundred percent though. I have to admit I wasn't to interested in chickens so I let him free range.  He sort of became a yard ornament and chose to sleep in the woodhouse.  I always fed him scratch grains and table scraps.  He even figured out how to open my dog's automatic feeder.  He was always interesting to have around and gave the mailman fits if he had to come up to the house.  The UPS lady didn't take any crap and threatened to put the boot to  him.  I think she was one of the few people he really did fear, I never asked why because I didn't want to know.  He was a good rooster and I do miss him.  I now have a giant white cochin named Runt who won't even defend himself from the little new hampshire red hens.  He is not much fun.  My old black rooster did manage to leave me with three of his daughters.  One is named Mean,  it fits.

]]> Sun, 03 Feb 2013 08:45:07 -0500 How old is your oldest chicken? by jamitysmom http://chickensintheroad.com/forum/the-old-barn/how-old-is-your-oldest-chicken/#p105079 The Old Barn http://chickensintheroad.com/forum/the-old-barn/how-old-is-your-oldest-chicken/#p105079 Ha!  This is a timely post - I have two roosters, one is sweet as can be but the other - Watch out!  They are brothers and will be two this summer.  As you say, you just have to get good at fending him off with a stick.  Tonight I actually used the tool we have for scraping snow off of the cars - thought that "T" shaped head would provide a little more protection.  I keep him around because I feel it's good to have two to protect the girls (I have seven hens), one kind of leads them and the other watches their back.  It works.  Twelve years old!  I had no idea he might last that long.  Did you let them free range?  I'm hoping that the size of my roosters is why the hawks haven't tried to grab anyone - they are Orpingtons, the mean one is a Blue Orpington and the other is a Blue/Buff Orpington and they must weigh over 12 lbs each.  I never realized how much fun it is to have roosters around.  We love them!  Have you read "Buddy - how a rooster made me a family man" by Brian McGrory?  It is a great read.  chicken

]]> Sun, 13 Jan 2013 18:11:48 -0500 How old is your oldest chicken? by Flatlander http://chickensintheroad.com/forum/the-old-barn/how-old-is-your-oldest-chicken/#p105075 The Old Barn http://chickensintheroad.com/forum/the-old-barn/how-old-is-your-oldest-chicken/#p105075 I replace my laying hens every year, simply because I sell eggs and can't afford to keep chickens who take a break in laying eggs.

So every spring I buy chicks..as soon as they start laying..the others are gone.

]]> Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:44:00 -0500 How old is your oldest chicken? by BuckeyeGirl http://chickensintheroad.com/forum/the-old-barn/how-old-is-your-oldest-chicken/#p105067 The Old Barn http://chickensintheroad.com/forum/the-old-barn/how-old-is-your-oldest-chicken/#p105067 Nope, I've never had one live that long!  My oldest hen is about 4 years old.  She gets special treats and yummy goodies too.  I even lift her down off the roost if she's still up there when I get to the coop, because she's a heavy hen and I spoil her a bit!  She tolerates it.  chicken

]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:22:31 -0500 How old is your oldest chicken? by mpoling http://chickensintheroad.com/forum/the-old-barn/how-old-is-your-oldest-chicken/#p105066 The Old Barn http://chickensintheroad.com/forum/the-old-barn/how-old-is-your-oldest-chicken/#p105066 A couple years ago I lost my old black rooster to old age.  I say it was certainly old age because he made it to the ripe old age of 13.  He was terribly mean and ill tempered all of his life.  I carried a stick to hold him at bay for many years.  I still loved and respected him though.  Everytime I go the chicken house I think of him.  I was just wondering if anyone else has had a chicken stick around that long.

]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:17:18 -0500