on retiring/replacing hens....

[wjallen05]

Hey guys,

So sorry to ask a question that has probably already been asked a hundred times.... but... what age do you start over with new layers? I have two groups right now: 14 hens that are 16 months old, and 5 pullets (Gold Sex-Links) that are 4 months old. Really I'd like about 10 hens... I've been cutting back A LOT because I don't want to be in the "egg selling" business any more.... just want enough for family. Anyway, am wondering if I should go ahead and order 10 pullet chicks to be my next year's layers, and then sell my current hens once said chicks start laying? I'd like to know how everyone else handles this dilemma.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Imp]

Quote:
I think your 16 month old hens will continue laying well for another 16 months. Hens start to slow down about 3 years old, but do continue laying for a long time, just less.

Imp

 

[wjallen05]

thanks imp

wow only one response?

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

I'm raising some girls to replace my older layers too. I have three 3year olds, 2 of which seldom lay any more, and another that still lays pretty well, but I don't like her (she BITES). I'm just not looking forward to how it's going to go when I take them out and put the new girls in...

If you want to look at it this way - you'll get more $$ out of them if you sell while they are till laying fairly well, and they are less likely to end up in a stew pot - if someone else has them as layers for a while, they may get too attached to them to eat them...

 

[wjallen05]

That's kind of what I was thinking- if I buy chicks every spring, and then sell my current layers in the fall when the new chicks (who will be hens, obviously) start laying, then everyone's happy and I get my $$ worth and don't end up having to give away or *gasp* eat my hens.

 

[jerseygirl1]

Quote:
This is what I plan on doing - I have 8 adults, and I have new pullets who will start laying in the fall, I plan on selling the older gals and keeping the new ones

 

[Mrs. Green Thumbs]

I'm a newbie so I can't tell ya what to do but I can say that IMO ...well my house my hen's will live their lives with me. If they reduce their production I will simply add another hen. But of course I see my birds as pet's as well as egg makers... that's just how they pay their rent

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Mrs. Green Thumbs :

I'm a newbie so I can't tell ya what to do but I can say that IMO ...well my house my hen's will live their lives with me. If they reduce their production I will simply add another hen. But of course I see my birds as pet's as well as egg makers... that's just how they pay their rent

They are treated as pets here too, but with a purpose. Unfortunately, I only have so much room...someday when I have more space, the girls will get to live out their lives with me, but until then, I can only make sure that they go to a good home...it kills me that one of my 3 year olds is my favorite hen ever...

 

[wjallen05]

I'm a newbie so I can't tell ya what to do but I can say that IMO ...well my house my hen's will live their lives with me. If they reduce their production I will simply add another hen. But of course I see my birds as pet's as well as egg makers... that's just how they pay their rent

we have a few hens that will always, always have a home with us no matter what- but the others.... well I just can't afford to keep everyone. It wouldn't make sense financially... and feeding my family comes first. (not insulting you at all, I think it's great if you can do it)​

 

[gallusdomesticus]

My two 'senior' hens are five years old and lay 2-3 eggs a week. They're pets who will live out their days here in Chicken heaven but I've gradually expanded my small flock to always have a few birds in the prime of their egg laying lives....less than 3 years old.