Many free-range farmers buy in their birds when they are at the point-of-lay at about 18 weeks of age.

Chickens often bring out the mothering instincts in us all. Photo supplied.

It is best to acquire them at least a week before they start to lay to give them time to settle in. They lay from about 20 weeks for about a year until they moult.

Hens purchased in spring will lay throughout summer and many farmers find it convenient to replace their hens after their first laying period when they are about 18 months old.

Alternatively they may be kept on after this first laying period through the subsequent moult and then for a second laying season.

Hens kept any longer than this are likely to lay fewer eggs, there will be a tendency for more eggs to be misshapen, more hens will get oviduct prolapse problems and more will become broody.

On the positive side the eggs will tend to be larger.

‘Spent’ hens can often be purchased cheaply from intensive poultry farms after their first laying period when they are about 18 months old.

They are inexpensive because they will have to be farmed through a moult that takes about 10 weeks, and they have to learn to perch and may be nervous about going into the open.

Their food and water must be close at hand otherwise they will not find it. They also need protection from predators.

Rehabilitation can be a slow and frustrating experience.

However, with time these hens can become quite good egg producers, and many owners enjoy the satisfaction of offering them a good life after what has usually been many months of confinement.