Long-term planning. . .

[horsewishr]

Sorry, this will probably be rambling. . .

I got my first 4 pullets this spring, and they have about a month to go before they start laying. But I'm already obsessed with the thought of having a constant supply of eggs--maybe 6 a day. Obviously 4 chickens will not give me 6 eggs/day. And if I run out and buy another 6 pullets, they'll all be the same age and will all "dry out" at the same time. No "constant" supply.

I don't plan on ever killing/replacing any chickens. They'll have homes for as long as they live. I don't know how many older, non-productive birds I'll have to plan on, and just how long they live beyond their egg-laying years. Do they completely stop laying at a certain age? Or just slow down a lot?

Theoretically, how would I go about getting to my 6 eggs/day target (and staying there one I've achieved it)? I could comfortably keep 12 hens in my current coop, and I have room for a second coop, if necessary. I'm thinking it might be easier to have two separate, small flocks--rather than a single large one. But should I start the second flock right away? Or wait until the first coop is full?????

My husband won't admit it, but I think he'd actually look forward to building a second coop and getting more birds.

 

[HenHaven]

I am one year ahead of you in my chicken saga, so I can tell you my experience. Last spring, I started out with 6 pullet chicks (got 7 but one was a roo)

Later in the summer, July, I think, I wanted some dark-egg layers, so I got some Welsummers. I didn't get any eggs fom them until the following spring.

If it were me, I would get my next chicks EARLY next spring. That way they are almost a year behind your others, but will start laying late spring, early summer.

I am concerned about the aging factor too. What I am doing this year, is phasing out my 2, one-year-old Cuckoo Marans. I am lucky enough to have a friend who needs a few replacement layers, so I am selling her some pullets at onset of lay, and also the CMs. This wouldn't work if you are very attached to all of your girls. I just never made a connection with the CMs, and their egg color was disappointing.

So, I guess my plan is phase out a few each year to good homes, keep my old favorites, and try to refresh the flock a little each year.

 

[schmoo]

horsewishr- I sent you an email. Sometimes they don't work from here so let me know if you received it please.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I think it's more the commercial egg layers that have that big drop off in egg laying after a couple of years. Chickens you raise at home, with better care and a better diet, especially some of the heritage breeds, seem to be much more steady layers over time.

 

[Wolfpacker]

Excellent Question, Horsewishr. What do we do with our girls when they stop laying, we need more layers, but we have limited room?

 

[silkiechicken]

If I am rotating birds. I just sell the ones that have slowed down or eat them.

 

[rosyposyosy]

nevermind