I rotate at least 1/2 of my flick annually. Say you start six this year....next spring you start three chicks and as they near laying you sell three hens. At the end of their first laying cycle they still have good value. The new layers will be starting as the last uears birds are getting ready to molt, which usually involves stopping laying. The jew kids lay 5hrough winter, older gals may or may not wait until spring to restart....repeat and replace the oldest hens....you will always have eggs and bu selling by the end of second laying cycle you will usually be able to find someone who wants them.Thank you all for great input. To answer some of the questions asked,
- I live in northern California - so dry like 9 months and some rainy days during the winter, rarely goes under 40F, no snow.
- I heard that I can have up to 6 hens without permit according to the city ordinance, so I got greedy and was looking to start with six Planning to have coop/run for 6 anyway. Will think about it some more.
Slightly different question - for those who are raising hens for eggs, what do you do after they get old and stop laying eggs? Personally I can't imagine I butcher them for meat, but at the same time I am not sure I would be able to keep them as pets until they die naturally since I can only have up to 6.
I used to have a "no sacred cows" policy to flock management, but my husband has now claimed two thirds as his so they will stay.....no biggy for me, I just told him his birds couldnt count against me on total birds, lol.