Best age to purchase egg layers?

[Chicnz]

First post so I hope this gets seen- I’m wanting to purchase some older girls but not too old, girls to add to my other laying girls. What age would be best? A year old? Thoughts? At 9 months the eggs are still quite small so I’m wondering if I’d be better off looking for older girls needing new homes than new layers. Is there an age sweet spot for laying with hylines?

 

[nuthatched]

4-6 months.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Your tradeoff is older birds might have bigger eggs, but they'll be producing for (potentially) fewer years since their best laying days are behind them. Younger birds, you need to wait for eggs and production to normalize, but you'd potentially get a longer period of production from them.

Assuming eggs are top priority then point of lay pullets would be your best bet IMO.

One other thing to consider is biological quarantine https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...nderestimated-part-of-raising-chickens.67097/ is recommended before adding any older birds to a flock - but obviously that's up to you, whether you feel comfortable with the source (friend, farm you've already bought from). For that reason I only add hatchery chicks, to minimize risk of disease/parasites/etc.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi, Chicnz. It's true that pullets at POL (Point of Lay, just coming into production) lay smaller eggs than they will at maturity, but it does not take them long to get up to speed, maybe a couple of months. Given the fact that their most productive period is only two to three years, though they may lay a reduced number of eggs for several more years, it may be practical to obtain them right at POL rather than wait several months for the eggs to come to full size - especially when one considers the fact that a change in scenery can be stressful, resulting in a drastic drop in production for several weeks to possibly a couple of months.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Another factor is cost. Day-old chicks may be obtained for as little as a few dollars per bird, while POL pullets generally are priced closer to $25/bird and up, never mind cost of shipping.

 

[Chicnz]

Your tradeoff is older birds might have bigger eggs, but they'll be producing for (potentially) fewer years since their best laying days are behind them. Younger birds, you need to wait for eggs and production to normalize, but you'd potentially get a longer period of production from them.

Assuming eggs are top priority then point of lay pullets would be your best bet IMO.

One other thing to consider is biological quarantine https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...nderestimated-part-of-raising-chickens.67097/ is recommended before adding any older birds to a flock - but obviously that's up to you, whether you feel comfortable with the source (friend, farm you've already bought from). For that reason I only add hatchery chicks, to minimize risk of disease/parasites/etc.

Thank you for taking the time to comment. I would definitely still quarantine and have a slow introduction as I wouldn’t want any conflict or mites. I’ve tried introducing a few different ways and straight in head first isn’t good for anyone imo thank you

 

[Chicnz]

Another factor is cost. Day-old chicks may be obtained for as little as a few dollars per bird, while POL pullets generally are priced closer to $25/bird and up, never mind cost of shipping.

We clearly must not be in the same country just basing on pricing. Chicks are around $15 and a POL is $40+ and shipping isn’t even an option here it’s pick up. I’m a little jealous

 

[Chicnz]

Hi, Chicnz. It's true that pullets at POL (Point of Lay, just coming into production) lay smaller eggs than they will at maturity, but it does not take them long to get up to speed, maybe a couple of months. Given the fact that their most productive period is only two to three years, though they may lay a reduced number of eggs for several more years, it may be practical to obtain them right at POL rather than wait several months for the eggs to come to full size - especially when one considers the fact that a change in scenery can be stressful, resulting in a drastic drop in production for several weeks to possibly a couple of months.

You’ve made some really good points I hadn’t even considered so thank you! I love this place thanks for taking the time to share. I will narrow my search to POL.

 

[Down Under]

Hi Chicnz, yeah this is a US forum so most on here assume everyone else is from the US unless you make it clear in your profile that you are from a different country.

I know hylines are easy to get but NZ has a some really dedicated breeders trying to save rare breeds that you may want to look into too. When we buy their rare breeds it keeps the breed going and lets the breeders know that their work is not in vain.

 

[aart]

We clearly must not be in the same country

make it clear in your profile

Yes, @Chicnz and @Down Under
Tho I can tell from your screen names where you are.....

It's best to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
Course some folks don't pay attention to the location either.