Older hens

Molting lasts about 4 weeks and then they start laying again. If they are not Winter layers, then give them supplemental light and they will lay all winter.

Two year old hens are too young to cull.


I have had poorly producing birds molt for 5 months (REALLY, losing and slowly slowly growing new feathers this whole time) and then take 2 more months off before laying again. Molts can be awful things on badly bred birds. Just to clarify, average molts are 1-4 months long...

2 year olds are not too young to cull, especially if you're buying from hatcheries, and especially if your management is to have yearly replacements.
 
if a bird is a reliable layer, she will have eggs in the loop. It will be nearly impossible for her not to lay, when you trap her. Now she may quit after that from the stress of moving. But a good egg layer, lays eggs pretty darn steadily.

But a turn over in birds is nothing you should feel guilty about. Lots of people feel guilty on this forum for culling anything but the most sick or dying bird, and some feel guilty for that. I don't care if they feel guilty, but they do not need to make you feel guilty. If you don't like a bird, or she is not producing how you want, or if you want a different kind of bird or a younger bird, it is ok to cull.

Younger birds produce smaller eggs but generally pretty steadily, once they get started. Older birds do produce larger eggs, but less of them as time goes on. The daylight also makes a difference.

You have a valid point about feeding a non producer through the dark days of winter.

Mrs. K
 
if a bird is a reliable layer, she will have eggs in the loop. It will be nearly impossible for her not to lay, when you trap her. Now she may quit after that from the stress of moving. But a good egg layer, lays eggs pretty darn steadily.

But a turn over in birds is nothing you should feel guilty about. Lots of people feel guilty on this forum for culling anything but the most sick or dying bird, and some feel guilty for that. I don't care if they feel guilty, but they do not need to make you feel guilty. If you don't like a bird, or she is not producing how you want, or if you want a different kind of bird or a younger bird, it is ok to cull.

Younger birds produce smaller eggs but generally pretty steadily, once they get started. Older birds do produce larger eggs, but less of them as time goes on. The daylight also makes a difference.

You have a valid point about feeding a non producer through the dark days of winter.

Mrs. K

I love this!

We each have our own management styles. I don't recall the OP asking permission to cull their birds. Folks need to remember different things work best for each of us and not make such sweeping definitive statements.
 
I have had poorly producing birds molt for 5 months (REALLY, losing and slowly slowly growing new feathers this whole time) and then take 2 more months off before laying again. Molts can be awful things on badly bred birds. Just to clarify, average molts are 1-4 months long...

2 year olds are not too young to cull, especially if you're buying from hatcheries, and especially if your management is to have yearly replacements.
It takes the average pullet 22 weeks to start laying eggs. That is more than 5 months during which time you have to feed them more than a grown hen will eat.

If you supplement with light in the winter they will not take 5 months to start up after a molt.

If you cull at two years old, you only get 1.5 years of laying out of your hen. It is bad economics and more expensive in the long run. Three or four years makes more sense if you are culling for economics.
 
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It takes the average pullet 22 weeks to start laying eggs. That is more than 5 months during which time you have to feed them more than a grown hen will eat.

If you supplement with light in the winter they will not take 5 months to start up after a molt.

If you cull at two years old, you only get 1.5 years of laying out of your hen. It is bad economics and more expensive in the long run. Three or four years makes more sense if you are culling for economics.


Look, that's great and that's your opinion, but there are a million reasons to cull at ANY TIME. It's all about individual preference and management style.

As donrae and Mrs. K said, no need to shame the OP, or anyone else, for culling.
 
Look, that's great and that's your opinion, but there are a million reasons to cull at ANY TIME. It's all about individual preference and management style.

As donrae and Mrs. K said, no need to shame the OP, or anyone else, for culling.
I am not trying to shame anyone.

The Thread starter had the question answered and now we are having a discussion that is related.

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I don't cull, I sell. When I want new layers, I pack up my old layers and take them to the local auction. I get as much or more for them as I would selling them as stewing hens.
 
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I don't cull, I sell. When I want new layers, I pack up my old layers and take them to the local auction. I get as much or more for them as I would selling them as stewing hens.

Agreed, though auctions tend to make me shudder thinking of all the respiratory stuff getting transferred. I find my dog enjoys the old hens nicely
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I am not trying to shame anyone.

The Thread starter had the question answered and now we are having a discussion that is related.

frow.gif


Ah, I see, a discussion...

I just don't like the point-blank statement: "Two year old hens are too young to cull." No bird is too young to cull.

Now I've got to run, there are some 8 month old pullets with pinched tails and narrow pubic bones that I have to go butcher
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Thanks for all the info/opinions.... I decided to let them live because their were so many feathers in the box. By the way they are Buckeyes. I have a White Rock I did the same thing too and she layed right away... I am still trying to figure out the best time to cull. I still haven't figured that out, I am begining to think early summer, because Spring is almost too early to give them coming out of winter lack of laying. I do think banding by year is a good idea. I always think I will remember when I got who/what and it never fails, I thought the buckeyes were three and they were two. The zip ties work well.
 

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