How long do you keep your birds?

[Swamp Roo]

Wow, I did not realize that most people only kept them one season, good to know. No problem though, they are prolific little buggers. I get more eggs per day than I have quail three out of four days!

Swamp

 

[Ducklove334]

they can slow down at 8 months!?

we have a couple hens around 7ish months old that havn't even STARTED to lay yet

our birds are pets first and foremost, they'll stay here til they croak of old age.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
My plans and undecisions as well! Eggs in the bator now and the few chicks I've selected to keep from a few weeks agos hatches are for next years breedings (even though ofcourse i'll get breedings out of them this year before winter). And I'm thinking im keeping atleast a few under lights this winter IF i can keep the eggs from freezing that is

Yeah, I'm unsure about having chicks in the house this winter, they sure are stinky babies!!

I might just wait and let them start up naturally in the spring

 

[DTchickens]

I keep my laying/breeding stock until they die.. Most of them are still doing their job when they die, i've never really had one stop or notice them slow down until around 8 years.. And then they just lay every other day. Egg farms use the 3 year plan since that is when people say they slow down. 8 months and you get rid of them? They're just starting to lay then...

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
Coturnix quail live about 3-5 years, and start laying around 8 weeks. They've already been laying 6 months by then!!

 

[DTchickens]

Quote:
Coturnix quail live about 3-5 years, and start laying around 8 weeks. They've already been laying 6 months by then!!

Sorry, my mistake lol.. Thought we were talking chickens

 

[First To Hatch]

My plan is going to be to keep breeders from spring to fall then cull them.