Oh my... culling time?

[Parront]

The ones with a pale comb are the ones to check first. Pale comb and small vent can be cooped together for a week to be sure they are not laying. They will have company together, and should lay normally if they are laying. Lots of people reduce the flock size in the fall, it is the best time. Just keep the breeders you want after the molt. No need for the lights for a while if they are not laying! Then, when they have new feathers in a couple of months, start lengthening their day by turning on the light 15 min earlier each week. Your 3 layers who are still laying will still need light. These are the reasons you end up with coops all over the place! Multiple breeds and ages all need different environments. Best wishes. Chicken noodle is very nice in the fall!

 

[aart]

Lots of people reduce the flock size in the fall, it is the best time.

Yeppers, get the population down for winter quarters.
But plucking a molting hen is PITA, part of the deal tho.

 

[Hesus the Chicken Caller]

The ones with a pale comb are the ones to check first. Pale comb and small vent can be cooped together for a week to be sure they are not laying. They will have company together, and should lay normally if they are laying. Lots of people reduce the flock size in the fall, it is the best time. Just keep the breeders you want after the molt. No need for the lights for a while if they are not laying! Then, when they have new feathers in a couple of months, start lengthening their day by turning on the light 15 min earlier each week. Your 3 layers who are still laying will still need light. These are the reasons you end up with coops all over the place! Multiple breeds and ages all need different environments. Best wishes. Chicken noodle is very nice in the fall!

Parront- thanks so much- you're responses have been extremely helpful and informative. I will go about this precisely as you've suggested!

 

[Parront]

Parront- thanks so much- you're responses have been extremely helpful and informative. I will go about this precisely as you've suggested!

Here's to a lower feed bill and chicken in the crock pot! Just skin them if too many pin feathers, they should be plenty fat if they aren't laying! (They don't need skin in the crock pot, but it is sure nice roasted if the skin is nice). I save the fat from the roaster and then use it for fried potatoes. Yum!