I Think Luck just smiled on me (will take a few weeks to know for sure).
Out of the blue, I was given 5 BO's today, 4 hens and a roo. The roo and at least 2 of the hens are three years old. The other two hens are at least a year, and possibly up to three years old as well.
These were all private breeder stock, cleaning out some of his overflowing birds. He had given these birds to his preacher, and preacher kept them for about 18 months, then gave them back to the breeder. He didn't have room for them, so offered them to me. He doesn't show his birds, but other people who have purchased his stock have won at the county fair with his birds, so maybe not so bad (if the hens settle down and lay again).
The hens are in the middle of moulting, as well as being moved twice now in 3-4 weeks.
How long should I wait to determine if they're going to go back to laying? or if I got a bunch of geriatric yard decorations?
For non-hatchery BO's, how many years can/should they continue to lay?
How long will the roo stay virile? I've also been offered 2 more of the younger roos, and need to know how to determine the best one to keep.
[I don't think 3 yr old roo would even make a decent stock/stewing bird, but we may find out.]
Out of the blue, I was given 5 BO's today, 4 hens and a roo. The roo and at least 2 of the hens are three years old. The other two hens are at least a year, and possibly up to three years old as well.
These were all private breeder stock, cleaning out some of his overflowing birds. He had given these birds to his preacher, and preacher kept them for about 18 months, then gave them back to the breeder. He didn't have room for them, so offered them to me. He doesn't show his birds, but other people who have purchased his stock have won at the county fair with his birds, so maybe not so bad (if the hens settle down and lay again).
The hens are in the middle of moulting, as well as being moved twice now in 3-4 weeks.
How long should I wait to determine if they're going to go back to laying? or if I got a bunch of geriatric yard decorations?
For non-hatchery BO's, how many years can/should they continue to lay?
How long will the roo stay virile? I've also been offered 2 more of the younger roos, and need to know how to determine the best one to keep.
[I don't think 3 yr old roo would even make a decent stock/stewing bird, but we may find out.]