BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[gjensen]

Do any of you know how long it takes your different breeds to complete the molt, and return to laying. That is first molt hens.

 

[Our Roost]

Good question but poor observation by some of us. I did recognize a slow down but didn't relate it to molting. And yes, I have a number of different breeds not performing in the same manner. In fact, some continued to lay through the molt rather well. In the near 5 years we have been raising chickens, this seems to be the worst season and year ever for molting! What in your perspective do you think has caused this phenomenom?

 

[dfr1973]

Good discussion (and seasonally-appropriate) here ... I'll not have numbers for molting until next year, but while I was outside looking at all the poofy grey/splash feathers around the Silkies' tractor, it got me thinking about how I will want them as fluffy as I can get them. This is the opposite direction I'm going with the Wyandottes LOL as overly fluffy Wyandottes spending energy and resources on feathering, and makes the cull cockerels a pain to pluck. For the record, we hand-pluck since we have yet to slaughter more than five at a time, and two or three is more common.

This brings my train of thought around to your comment the other week about broodies being productive, also. They are hatching and rearing new chicks, which is why I have my Silkies and the Wheatie Ams from Luanne. Heck, I'm even putting a capon to work right now ...

 

[bramblefir]

Do any of you know how long it takes your different breeds to complete the molt, and return to laying. That is first molt hens.

For my current flock this year is the first adult molt. The earliest hen went into molt approximately mid-September after hatching a clutch of eggs at the beginning of September. Based on her current rate of feather growth I would estimate she'll have taken a total of 6 weeks to complete her molt. The cock and one other hen have started to molt - off the top of my head I would say the cock is 1 week into it and the other hen just started 3 days ago. The other three hens have not started molting and are currently laying at their normal rates.

 

[gjensen]

It is hard to say precisely. I could not tell you when the first feather dropped, and who dropped it. LOL. The best I can do is communicate an average. I can see however, who comes into molt last. Not necessarily an individual, but individuals. I can see who comes out of production last. I can also see who comes back into production first. Rarely this is the same bird, but when it is, it is a notable characteristic. There is value there.

My birds are molting. The last bird(s) are in it now as of October 7th. The feathers really started dropping a couple weeks ago, but a few dropped before. My birds seam to average about 10wks to really finish. As late as 12, but it seams 10wks is a good number. 8wks is fast. I am pleased with 10. 12 is not the end of the world.

All I can do practically, and I do suggest this, is to pay attention. It does matter. We want birds that do not have excessively long down times. Some will go out of lay starting in August/September, and will lay very few eggs until Feb. or March. It can be as much as 6 months and that is ridiculous. Fortunately, better with lights, but I prefer not to run lights. I have no ideological qualms with running lights, but I do prefer to select birds without lights. I intend to for a time, at least, and may change later. I always reserve the right to change my mind later.

Some birds will lay a few eggs while they are molting.

So all I suggest is to pay attention to the time they are out of production. When to when. It does matter, and it is a selection point. It is a point neglected by exhibition breeders, like egg size, because it does not win or lose. If we did depend on them really, we would really pay attention. If we select them as we did depend on them, they and we would be better for it.

Keep in mind, it is not just how many they laid last week. LOL. Length of lay is relevant. How long is the pullet year? How long does it take to start the next cycle? When they start and stop does matter. It, in part, determines how many eggs total they lay in a given cycle. It is not how many they lay per week, or whatever perception that implies. It is the grand total. That is what matters. There is a lot that comes together to determine that.

 

[gjensen]

Good discussion (and seasonally-appropriate) here ... I'll not have numbers for molting until next year, but while I was outside looking at all the poofy grey/splash feathers around the Silkies' tractor, it got me thinking about how I will want them as fluffy as I can get them. This is the opposite direction I'm going with the Wyandottes LOL as overly fluffy Wyandottes spending energy and resources on feathering, and makes the cull cockerels a pain to pluck. For the record, we hand-pluck since we have yet to slaughter more than five at a time, and two or three is more common.

This brings my train of thought around to your comment the other week about broodies being productive, also. They are hatching and rearing new chicks, which is why I have my Silkies and the Wheatie Ams from Luanne. Heck, I'm even putting a capon to work right now ...

If they are working and accomplishing something, they are being productive. It is up to you to decide whether or not that is what you want them to do.

Have you ever skinned them? It does waste the skin. I would agree that it is wasteful. I do it sometimes though. If we were hungry, I would not. It is just such an easy and fast way to put meat on the table.

 

[gjensen]

For my current flock this year is the first adult molt. The earliest hen went into molt approximately mid-September after hatching a clutch of eggs at the beginning of September. Based on her current rate of feather growth I would estimate she'll have taken a total of 6 weeks to complete her molt. The cock and one other hen have started to molt - off the top of my head I would say the cock is 1 week into it and the other hen just started 3 days ago. The other three hens have not started molting and are currently laying at their normal rates.

My oldest cock molts first and early. He also takes the longest. He is slow.

 

[gjensen]

Good question but poor observation by some of us. I did recognize a slow down but didn't relate it to molting. And yes, I have a number of different breeds not performing in the same manner. In fact, some continued to lay through the molt rather well. In the near 5 years we have been raising chickens, this seems to be the worst season and year ever for molting! What in your perspective do you think has caused this phenomenom?

What do you mean by worst year for molting? I am not sure what the question is.

 

[gjensen]

Well shucks...I forgot to mention something tha Jason informed me of last evening. It appears that West Virginians can dress chickens and rabbits on premises and sell them at Farmer's Markets anywhere in the state. I don't know how many people are going to pay whatever the price my kids will ask for those Capons but if they travel to Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown or Martinsburg...they might sell a bird or two...hardly seems worth the effort but I think they might try it once.

From what I understand, each will take friend to a market with a friend and set up, just to see what the kind of action they will get. I think they are going to offer the large Capons at $50 bucks.

The big advertisers on the net demand $89 bucks for theirs so that's quite a discount....I think the markets are over for this year but I don't know that. It won't be hard to find out and if there's one left, I'm sure they will be represented...

Here you can do up to a certain qty. I do not remember the qty., but I think it is 1200.

 

[Our Roost]

I guess we are fortunate in a sense. I havent culled or processed birds in the 5 years we have raised them. We have a local Amish farmer who charges a fair rate and sometimes I swap chicks for his labor. Trust I might be a bit rusty but haven't forgotten the work involved!