Planning out future flock management, how does this sound?

[patman75]

I’m trying to figure out how keep continuous egg production from year to year. I plan to get more chicks every spring and then when the new chicks start laying I would then replace the old flock with the new flock. I’m trying to fine tune this process, I would love your input.

Here is what I have to work with..

8X8 winter coop with 200 sq foot run. Capacity 15 layers.
Catawba A frame tractor with 4X8 run. With some modifications, Capacity 6-7 Medium layers.
Brooder -Rubber tub and accessories for chicks.
(No unsupervised free ranging, too many predators)

Here is what I'm thinking of doing...
Currently I have 5 layers that are in the 8X8 winter coop.

Every spring (End of March) I would get 6-8 new chicks.

When the weather gets nice (May) I would put the layers in the tractor.

When it gets warm enough and the chicks get big enough they will go outside in the 8X8 coop.

Now here is where I’m not sure what to do.

It is late October, the chicks are pullets and have been laying for a few months. I can’t leave the hens in the tractor because of winter weather.

1. I take my older layers in the tractor and send them to freezer camp, my winter eggs will come from my new pullets and start the cycle all over again.
2. Combine both flocks in the 8X8 coop for the winter. This will give me more eggs for the winter when they slow down laying and when they are molting. Knowing that there will be a huge power struggle and fighting when they are combined. Then in the following spring the younger hens will be put into the tractor and the older hens will stay in the 8X8 coop until the next batch of chicks are ready to leave the brooder. At that point the older hens will go to freezer camp and the cycle continues.
3. Something I have not thought of that you could suggest.

So what do you think? 1,2,or 3?
Thanks for any input, tips, suggestions, etc
Pat

 

[Ridgerunner]

How about option 3R? (R is for Ridgerunner) Adjust the numbers of chickens as you deem fit.

You have Group A now. They are laying. Keep them for now. Get Group B as chicks. Raise them as layers for this fall. Overwinter Group A and B. Group A will probably molt and stop laying but group B may continue to lay some during the winter. My first year pullets did but some don't. You would need to integrate them to get them through the winter.

Next year get Group C chicks and raise them. After their molt, Group A should lay great all next summer. It is generally considered more efficient to feed the hens through their first adult molt and get the great production the next laying season instead of paying for the feed to raise them and only get one laying season out of them. Group B will be laying. Group C will be growing and eventually laying. When Group A starts to molt is the time to get rid of them. No need to feed them through another molt.

The following year get Group D. Keep Groups B, C and D until the fall molt, then retire Group B.

You can start the chicks a little later than you might normally this way, when the weather is probably nicer. You could probably raise the chicks in the tractor once they are feathered out. You only need about half as many chicks each year to keep the numbers up but you may want to adjust up just a bit.

This is pretty close to my plan. I'll throw it out as an option. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[sherrydeanne]

My first thought is that you do not want to do B. Having 23 chickens in an 8x8 coop during a Michigan winter is not going to be a real pretty picture.
I guess I need to know your goals before helping you more. Are you going to sell all these eggs? Are you going to provide extra light during winter? What breed are you getting?

 

[patman75]

Quote:
My goals are to have extra eggs to sell, give away to family or trade. I do provide extra light in the winter. I will have a mixed colorful flock of high to medium layers.

I will not have more 15 birds in 8X8 winter coop and would like to keep it around 12.

Ridgerunner,

I had wanted the layers to be in the tractor so they get fresh grass daily, but your plan makes better use of my coops. I can always let them free range when I'm around. I lke it, thank you so much.

I'm still interested in hearing anyone elses advice.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Build two tractors. One for group A. One for Group B.

 

[patman75]

Quote:
LOL, I have thought about that. I might was well electricfy my whole yard and get a LGD. I'll be there in a few years at the rate I'm building coops and adding chickens.

 

[cmom]

I have 15 hens in an 8x8 coop. I have 6 nest boxes. I have 2 - 2x4 roosts that go along the back of the coop. I gave each bird at least 1 foot of roost space, but they all seem to crowd on one end of the roosts. The other coop is 8x16 in which I have 25 birds and 8 nest boxes. I have 6 nest boxes in the 8x8 coop. All of my birds (40) are laying. The 15 in the 8x8 coop will be processed this summer and I will replace them. they are 2 and 3 yrs old and slowing up. Not as many eggs from them any more. I get 4 to 6 eggs a day from the 15 older girls.