JuliaSunshine
Songster
I'm wondering how people manage their flock keeping the good ratio between young and older hens.
Chicken feed is expensive here in Canada (28CAD, for 20kg) and I have limited coop space. So I want to replace older chickens with new ones efficiently while maintaining the same flock size.
I'm thinking of retiring 2 year old hens before their 2nd molting (either by selling or giving away).
I have 10 hens and one rooster who were born this year. They are dual purpose heritage breed, Light Sussex. They supposedly lay in the winter, but I noticed they're laying less already.
I'm wondering how many new pullets I should get next spring and how many of the current hens I should sell before the next fall to maintain the same flock size.
How about the following year?
What is a good ratio between new pullets and 1 year old and 2 year olds to maximize egg production and save money on feed? All equal or more 1 year olds than pullets? Is it worth keeping 2 year old hens?
Chicken feed is expensive here in Canada (28CAD, for 20kg) and I have limited coop space. So I want to replace older chickens with new ones efficiently while maintaining the same flock size.
I'm thinking of retiring 2 year old hens before their 2nd molting (either by selling or giving away).
I have 10 hens and one rooster who were born this year. They are dual purpose heritage breed, Light Sussex. They supposedly lay in the winter, but I noticed they're laying less already.
I'm wondering how many new pullets I should get next spring and how many of the current hens I should sell before the next fall to maintain the same flock size.
How about the following year?
What is a good ratio between new pullets and 1 year old and 2 year olds to maximize egg production and save money on feed? All equal or more 1 year olds than pullets? Is it worth keeping 2 year old hens?