How to check individual laying amounts

[BroodyMama1]

Hello,

I have some hens going on 4 years of age and another group going in 3 years. I know as they get older their laying slows down and can stop. I have a hand full that I know who’s eggs are who’s (green, blue, white) but the rest are various light to dark brown eggs. What would be the best way to track the brown layer eggs? If I separate one at a time for a week will they lay? Feel like it would stress them and they wouldn’t lay because if that. I’m only allowed 8 hens where I live so I can’t keep freeloaders

 

[HappyDuckie]

I've heard of some people putting a drop or so of food dye on their vents. When they lay eggs, there will be streaks of whatever color you used. Use different colors and write down what hen got what color. Or, you could set up a camera at the egg box.

 

[Sally PB]

I've heard of some people putting a drop or so of food dye on their vents. When they lay eggs, there will be streaks of whatever color you used.

Oh, what a clever idea!

 

[aart]

If I separate one at a time for a week will they lay? Feel like it would stress them and they wouldn’t lay because if that.

Yep, BTDT, worked OK for some but not all.

I’m only allowed 8 hens where I live so I can’t keep freeloaders

Time for some soup.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have some hens going on 4 years of age and another group going in 3 years.

I would cull the 4 year olds.

I get Chicks every 2 years and if I have any 4 year olds left, I cull.
I have 2 coops and keep younger and older separate.
I currently have my second Flock, Barred Rocks 2 years old and my third Flock, ISA Browns 6 months old.

I get different Breeds/type from previous Flock, easy to tell young from old. Otherwise you could use leg bands if you keep different breeds in one coop. GC

 

[U_Stormcrow]

^^^ THAT is a great idea for those keeping only hens, rotating breeds like that. I'm using "year" tags in the form of 4" zip ties, new colors each year on the left leg, right leg used for identification w/i breed, but I'm busy building a personal barnyard mix so I don't need to keep replacing the whole flock, just bring in new genetics periodically.

 

[BroodyMama1]

I've heard of some people putting a drop or so of food dye on their vents. When they lay eggs, there will be streaks of whatever color you used. Use different colors and write down what hen got what color. Or, you could set up a camera at the egg box.

I totally forgot all about vent coloring!

 

[BroodyMama1]

Yep, BTDT, worked OK for some but not all.

Time for some soup.

I’ve heard that “old” chickens don’t taste/cook well. Is this wrong?

 

[BroodyMama1]

I would cull the 4 year olds.

I get Chicks every 2 years and if I have any 4 year olds left, I cull.
I have 2 coops and keep younger and older separate.
I currently have my second Flock, Barred Rocks 2 years old and my third Flock, ISA Browns 6 months old.View attachment 2397530View attachment 2397529
I get different Breeds/type from previous Flock, easy to tell young from old. Otherwise you could use leg bands if you keep different breeds in one coop. GC

Ya we end up getting new chicks every year with some meat birds. We lose a hen or 2 each year so it keeps up. We just got 7 earlier in the summer and something got in and killed all but 3 of the new ones.

 

[ackie]

I’ve heard that “old” chickens don’t taste/cook well. Is this wrong?

Hence the soup. Soup forgives all.