Alaska hatchers..How is everyone doing? Baby pics !!!!!!

[PaulaJoAnne]

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I wonder if it depends on the breed?
Production versus older breeds, etc.

 

[MissDeb]

It really depends. In Alaska we usually get about 18 months out of a hen before she goes into molt. That's if
you start them in the spring, go through winter and the next fall is usually when their production falls off and they
go into molt. The guy at Chicken university told us the same thing. It's just too expensive up here to bring them out
of it, so one practice is to start your new chicks that next spring so you can cull that next fall.......

I hope that made sense. I'm running ragged still......LOL!

 

[Wolfwoman]

But they still lay eggs after that right? My three that I had ages ago laid until they were about 5 or so.

Here's Nutmeg.... a Faverolle pullet...

And this is an Appenzeller Spitzhauben without a name yet...

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Chickens will lay until they no longer have eggs.
How you deal with Flock management, will determine how long you will allow them to live.
We keep quite a few chickens, and if I was to let them all live until they died, I would go bankrupt.
I am sure we will come across a hen or two that we will hang onto at some point, but for the most part,
it makes good business sense to keep them till they about 2 years of age at the most, keeping a new flock growing up to take over at the right time, and stewing the older ones.

One of the reasons I will never keep cochins as our main flock, is because of the much higher cost involved, due to them being such late bloomers, and patchy layers.
I did not research them well, and the person we bought them from led me to believe that they laid early and often

We will always keep a few for brooders though.
We are looking into spiral breeding right now, and contemplating what breeds will work best.

Cute chickens by the way

 

[MissDeb]

Oh yea, they still lay, occasionally..

Here are my two newest kids hatched here. Maria was kind enough to send me more polish eggs and I got
two this time! I couldnt be happier!

Little gooey chick is still hanging in there. He/she was so gooey I didnt notice it's butt was crusty. As soon as
I took the crust off his bowels just let loose. His abdomen was so full. I sure hope he/she makes it! It seems more
vigorous now though......

I also got 3 new heritage Dellies! I need all the pullet vibes I can get!

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

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Oh Boy!

I told dh we will get a few Polish some day. Along with some frizzles

 

[Ban seabhag]

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Girls, girls... aaallllll girrrrrlsssssss.......

 

[PandoraTaylor]

I sold 5 pullets yesterday, 2 were favorites of mine, they were Light Brahma x EE pullets with the Cheek tuffs!

so I placed 28 eggs from My Light Brahma and Barred Rock hens into the incubator last night, they should hatch June 17th! Not sure on Fertility as the Rooster has been in Solitary Confinement for 2 weeks (due to spurs raking a gash in my Barred Rock). But we will see. I will candle in about 5-7 days-

If they are not fertile, I will remove the spur sheath and allow the roo a short visit with the girls and try again......

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

DEB!!! ASHIA!!!!

I HAVE A SUPRISE FOR YOU!!!

 

[Wolfwoman]

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What a cutie!