When commercial laying hens reach a point where their egg production declines significantly, they are typically slaughtered and replaced with younger, more productive birds. This practice is a standard part of the commercial egg industry designed to maintain consistent output.
While chickens can naturally live for six years or more, their peak egg-laying productivity usually lasts for about 12 months. After this period, their output begins to decline, making them less economically viable for large-scale egg production.
The Lifecycle of a Commercial Laying Hen
The journey of a commercial laying hen is often brief and focused entirely on egg production:
- Hatching and Rearing: Female chicks are hatched and raised to become laying hens. Male chicks, which do not lay eggs and are not suitable for meat production, are typically culled shortly after hatching.
- Peak Production: Hens begin laying eggs at around 18-20 weeks of age and are most productive during their first year of laying.
- Declining Productivity: After approximately 12 months of laying, a hen's egg production starts to decrease. The eggs they do lay might also become smaller or less consistent.
- Slaughter and Replacement: At this point, to maintain efficiency and profitability, most commercial laying hens are removed from the flock. They are then sent to slaughterhouses.
What Happens to the Hens After Laying Stops?
Once a laying hen is deemed "spent" from an egg production standpoint, her fate in the commercial system is generally one of two outcomes:
- Slaughter for Meat: The vast majority of these hens are sent to slaughter. Their meat, which is often tougher and leaner than that of chickens specifically bred for meat (broilers), is typically used in processed poultry products such as:
- Soups
- Pies
- Pet food
- Mechanically separated chicken products
- Molting (Less Common in Intensive Systems): In some less intensive systems, or specific niche markets, hens might undergo a forced molt. This process involves a period of induced stress (e.g., through feed or light restriction) to encourage them to shed their feathers and regrow them, after which they may resume laying for another, shorter cycle. However, this is less common in high-volume commercial operations due to efficiency and economic considerations.
Welfare Considerations
The short productive life and subsequent slaughter of laying hens highlight significant animal welfare concerns within the commercial egg industry. These concerns often include:
- Confinement: Many hens are kept in confined conditions, such as battery cages (though banned in some regions), leading to limited movement and natural behaviors.
- Intensive Production: The continuous demand for high egg output can place considerable physiological stress on the hens.
- Short Lifespan: Despite their natural lifespan of many years, commercial hens are typically discarded long before reaching old age.
For more information on the welfare of laying hens, you can refer to resources from reputable animal welfare organizations like the RSPCA.
