Breeding from 8 year old hen

[RichmondHens]

Yes, I know it sounds a bit mad, but I am going to try and get some more offspring from my oldest bantam. I have three of her daughters in the bantam flock and they really are the best ones, next to her of course. And given that she's 8 now she may not last another season, or at least lay after this one. The cock is different from before - I last bred from her 2 years ago - so it's really an experiment to see what comes out. I have collected two of her eggs so far and hope for a couple more this week then will set them. Fortunately they are distinctively shaped and almost white so fairly easy to tell apart from the rest of the gang. What you do think? Has anyone else here hatched from hens this old before?

[RichmondHens]

Just thought I'd update you all. I collected 4 eggs over the course of a week from my dear old Mrs Pepperpot, sat them under another bantam and they have all hatched today! My lovely little Easter chicks. Good old Mrs P.

[polo]

Well done Mrs Pepperpot. Glad you got some more from her!

Polo

[Glutton4...]

WOT!!!!! No Piccies!!!!!!?

[Scarlet]

Thats fab news -c'mon lets have some pics...

[frias]

That's great.

[Suechooks]

How lovely! Happy Easterchix!

[Flummery]

Happy Easter!

[its hilly]

Nice easter pressie RH. Bet you're well chuffed.
As for age? My mare was put in foal at 22yo (I actually thought she was around 14! due to what I was told when I bought her, and what a livewire she is) held first service and produced a super, healthy filly foal. She is now a gorgeous two, in june, year old and mum is still with me.
What I'm trying to say is that if Pepperpot is fit and healthy there is no real reason why her eggs shouldn't be, is there?. You aren't the sort of person to let your hens suffer deficits which could affect the egg quality which is the normal problem with old mums..so why worry?
And where's the picis

[RichmondHens]

Promise I'll put some on soon guys!

[Polly Fouracre]

I have "breed" of mongrel banties who lay and lay from spring 'til winter. I have set eggs from three of the originals (mated to the grandson) and hope to keep this strain going for many years.