- Jul 6, 2010
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Quote:
That's my point the "rules" are written for large uniform breed flocks not a backyard flock of 6 to 8 birds of different lineage. Frankly a lot of breeds just don't start production at 18 weeks--even my red sex-link comets went almost to 24 and I now have 26 20-week Black Stars that range from full red combs to no sign of maturity. Giving them free choice oyster shell at 19/20 weeks makes sense, going to layer doesn't and I won't until I'm sure all of them, plus my 5 EE pullets of the same age, are laying .
That's my point the "rules" are written for large uniform breed flocks not a backyard flock of 6 to 8 birds of different lineage. Frankly a lot of breeds just don't start production at 18 weeks--even my red sex-link comets went almost to 24 and I now have 26 20-week Black Stars that range from full red combs to no sign of maturity. Giving them free choice oyster shell at 19/20 weeks makes sense, going to layer doesn't and I won't until I'm sure all of them, plus my 5 EE pullets of the same age, are laying .