Culling Layers - Time of Year

[Maeschak]

Hello All,

I had expected to cull my layer flock last fall (thin shelled, small eggs, lack of laying, etc) but found that most of them were molting (starting in early September) so I over wintered them all.

I am now again eager to cull my laying flock- does anyone know what time of year (or daylight hours) is necessary to determine if the layers should be laying? I am not looking for info on how to determine if chickens are laying- I am looking for the time of year that chickens should be laying (I am in zone 7 Mid MD) or about how many hours of daylight that should get hens laying.

Thanks so much-

 

[sourland]

I would say a minimum of 12 hours of daylight for older birds. The closer to 14 the better for egg production.

 

[feedman77]

My hens stopped laying in sept/oct. I have not gotten an egg since.

A few combs are starting to redden up. But I'm not expecting eggs til march. If they stay on normal past laying history.

I don't supplemental light them just give them a winter break.

But they need at least 12 to 14 hours of good light to start the process. But it also depends on breed. My leghorns are usually the first to lay.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I would say a minimum of 12 hours of daylight for older birds. The closer to 14 the better for egg production.

X2

 

[Maeschak]

I would say a minimum of 12 hours of daylight for older birds. The closer to 14 the better for egg production.

Great, thanks so much!

 

[Maeschak]

My hens stopped laying in sept/oct. I have not gotten an egg since.

A few combs are starting to redden up. But I'm not expecting eggs til march. If they stay on normal past laying history.

I don't supplemental light them just give them a winter break.

But they need at least 12 to 14 hours of good light to start the process. But it also depends on breed. My leghorns are usually the first to lay.

Thank you too!

 

[lazy gardener]

If they are not laying well by April, I'd put them on the short list. Any other birds that you plan to remove due to age, if they are laying this spring, you might want to keep them in the flock until they slow down in the fall. If you have a fall bird who's molting, simply skin her and put her in the stock pot.

 

[cottontail farm]

We are in zone 5 here. I know that literature will say 12 to 14 hours of light but honestly we have about 10.5 right now and my two oldest chickens are laying (4 yrs old).
If you want to cull the hens i'd say do it any time.

 

[Geena]

I'm in Maryland as well, and all of my girls are laying now, even the old gals.

 

[Molpet]

not all of last yrs pullets have started to lay again.. much less the old gals.. I am in N IL