Just saved myself $100 from not throwing out old stuff!

[Iluveggers]

This is my first time experience with a backyard flock of laying hens. I though they would be laying good for 3 years. I started out with 10 hens. The first year I averaged about 7-8 eggs per day. The second year I averaged about 5-6 eggs per day. This third year, however, with 7 hens remaining (I lost 3 hens this summer), I am only getting 1 egg every other day.

I think location may have a lot to do with egg production. Our winters are long and dark. Maybe I would get more eggs if I added light into the coop. I have not done that thinking I don't want to be stressing out my hens in the dead of winter when we regularly get down to -20F at night, and have cold spells that go as low as -35F to -40F.

I have asked other chicken owners in my area and they tell me that they basically only get eggs the first 2 years. After that, very little. That is my experience with my first flock. If I go into a rotation system, I would have to cull the hens before they go into their third winter. I don't know if you would call that a 3 year rotation, or a 2.5 year rotation, considering 1/3 of the flock would not be carried over their third winter.

What breeds do you have?

 

[TJAnonymous]

This is my first time experience with a backyard flock of laying hens. I though they would be laying good for 3 years. I started out with 10 hens. The first year I averaged about 7-8 eggs per day. The second year I averaged about 5-6 eggs per day. This third year, however, with 7 hens remaining (I lost 3 hens this summer), I am only getting 1 egg every other day.

I think location may have a lot to do with egg production. Our winters are long and dark. Maybe I would get more eggs if I added light into the coop. I have not done that thinking I don't want to be stressing out my hens in the dead of winter when we regularly get down to -20F at night, and have cold spells that go as low as -35F to -40F.

I have asked other chicken owners in my area and they tell me that they basically only get eggs the first 2 years. After that, very little. That is my experience with my first flock. If I go into a rotation system, I would have to cull the hens before they go into their third winter. I don't know if you would call that a 3 year rotation, or a 2.5 year rotation, considering 1/3 of the flock would not be carried over their third winter.

I would be stressed out living in that weather too.... That's why I moved south!

 

[Iluveggers]

I kept wondering why I was hanging on to my ugly old kitchen cabinets….

 

[gtaus]

What breeds do you have?

I bought 10 chickens, all of different breeds, that are supposed to be cold hardy. Most are considered dual breeds, but I also have an ISA Brown and a California White which I believe are considered production layers. My ISA Brown has been the best layer, followed by the California White. My next flock might only be those production birds. I really like looking at all the different chickens in the run, but none of my other breeds came close to the egg production of the ISA Brown and California White.

Americauna, Buff Orpington, Silver Laced Wydott, Black Astralorpe, Cuckoo Maran, ISA Brown, California White, Wellsummer, Rhode Island Red. I ordered a Black Jersey Giant, but ended up getting 2 Black Astralorpes in my order. Don't know if they shipped that way or got loaded wrong at the store. Black Astralorpes and Black Jersey Giants look exactly the same as chicks.

 

[gtaus]

I would be stressed out living in that weather too.... That's why I moved south!

Yes, winters here can be harsh. But I have lived in the Southern States, as well as on a tropical island (Guam). Island life was fun for a while, but it was always hot, or hot with rain. After some time, I got to missing the snow. But I was much younger then, and now as I get older, I find myself not so excited about outdoor winter sports like riding the snowmobile or cross-country skiing.

I live on a lake, on property that used to be a resort, and most of my neighbors just have small cabins for the summer. Most of them are retired and winter over in Arizona. My lot is 3 acres and I live here all year. But maybe I will end up heading south for the winters myself in a few years. For now, we are comfortable here.

 

[Sally PB]

@Iluveggers, very nice nesting boxes!