Help determining if some hens are finished laying

[jaredthefox]

I was given 15 hens. Some old some in between and some young. I'm trying to think of a way to figure out which ones are laying and which ones are not. I know how to tell if a hen is to young to lay but idk how to tell if a hen is finished laying. Other than the obvious no egg.

I was thinking about taking each hen and putting them in a big doggy crate and leaving her in there a couple days. No egg = she's finished laying. How long should I wait before I can say she's not gonna lay? Will this work you think? Any other proven ways?

 

[donrae]

I've done the cooping separate like you describe. My only thought is the time of year. Some older hens, usually after the 2 year mark, simply take the winter off and start laying again in the spring. So, a bird could be not laying currently, but start up again in a month or so.

 

[jaredthefox]

I've done the cooping separate like you describe. My only thought is the time of year. Some older hens, usually after the 2 year mark, simply take the winter off and start laying again in the spring. So, a bird could be not laying currently, but start up again in a month or so. 

When would you say would be a good time to start. May?

 

[aart]

Another aspect is that putting them in a crate might cause a cessation of lay due to just the stress of change and/or being confined like that.

It's very difficult to know who is laying what and when, unless all your birds lay a distinctly different egg. Trap nesting is the only way I've read about that is absolute, but it takes equipment, acclimation and lots of time to monitor such a system.

It's a hard call to make, when to turn older, less productive layers into stew. Depends on your goals, philosophy and facilities.

I've decided that all 2-3 year olds will be stew by this fall to make room for a new batch of layers hatched in the spring....cause I only have so much space to keep chickens and they need to produce enough to pay the feed bill.

 

[donrae]

I'd say April or May should do it. If they're not laying by then, I would cull them.

I know there are videos on youtube about checking vents and width of pelvic bones. I'm just not sure if a hen that was a previous layer and taking a break would have different pelvic measurements.

My birds did okay being separated to see who was laying cause I did it right next to the main coop. They could still see the flock, just couldn't mingle. Soon as they laid an egg they were free. I kept them three nights, if no egg they were considered non-productive.

 

[jaredthefox]

I'd say April or May should do it. If they're not laying by then, I would cull them. 

I know there are videos on youtube about checking vents and width of pelvic bones. I'm just not sure if a hen that was a previous layer and taking a break would have different pelvic measurements. 

My birds did okay being separated to see who was laying cause I did it right next to the main coop. They could still see the flock, just couldn't mingle. Soon as they laid an egg they were free. I kept them three nights, if no egg they were considered non-productive. 

Thank you!!! Great advice!