How many hens through the winter?

[Melky]

From my older 6 I am getting maybe 2 eggs a day...all summer. Not good! (2 we're broody and raising chicks but the others have no excuse other than their genes).

I would keep your best 12 layers by breed and age minimum. Depends on how many you want to sell, give away, or send to the soup pot.

 

[Melky]

I would keep your best 12 layers by breed and age minimum. Depends on how many you want to sell, give away, or send to the soup pot.

If any? I didn’t want to assume. It may not be reasonable for you to keep ones that are not laying well and are not reproducing. Figure out your most cost effective approach. Some are committed to keeping their flock members because they are pets as well. Don’t be afraid to weed out some if not working out for ya.

 

[Rysktal]

I would keep your best 12 layers by breed and age minimum. Depends on how many you want to sell, give away, or send to the soup pot.

Thanks.
Oh I am determined to get down to an efficient laying flock, I'm not attached to any of my chickens. I really just want to be as logical as possible and keep what makes the most sense.
I went from thinking keeping 3 flocks, down to thinking I would keep 20-30 and now I am trying to figure out the lowest number for what I want!

If any? I didn’t want to assume. It may not be reasonable for you to keep ones that are not laying well and are not reproducing. Figure out your most cost effective approach. Some are committed to keeping their flock members because they are pets as well. Don’t be afraid to weed out some if not working out for ya.

 

[aart]

now I am trying to figure out the lowest number for what I want!

It's tricky...storing(hoarding as CC puts it) eggs now would be the best to ensure you are eating your eggs all winter.
Lighting can be tricky...no guarantees...even if you keep light steady all winter.
I hatch every year so as to have pullets laying in their first winter, I use lights too.
Best to hatch in March so they start laying before the older ones stop laying to molt,
Haven't hit that quite right yet.