Rooster's behavior affecting egg laying??

[HollowOfWisps]

My 4-6 years old chickens laying more than younger chickens

Are they different breeds? Breed plays a role in is.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I believe you are talking about over-mating or stressing the hens. Adding or removing flock members can alter the flock dynamics, good or bad. Many people have flocks with a rooster and just a very few hens with no problems. Others have flocks with a rooster and a whole lot of hens. Sometimes they have problems. I think that depends on the personality of your chickens and their maturity level. I personally would be willing to take that chance to avoid feeding those hens over the winter without getting any eggs back, especially since it sounds like you are planning on eating them in the spring anyway. I can't guarantee it though. But do you want their eggs for when you hatch chicks? I would.

 

[Happy Novogens]

I believe you are talking about over-mating or stressing the hens. Adding or removing flock members can alter the flock dynamics, good or bad. Many people have flocks with a rooster and just a very few hens with no problems. Others have flocks with a rooster and a whole lot of hens. Sometimes they have problems. I think that depends on the personality of your chickens and their maturity level. I personally would be willing to take that chance to avoid feeding those hens over the winter without getting any eggs back, especially since it sounds like you are planning on eating them in the spring anyway. I can't guarantee it though. But do you want their eggs for when you hatch chicks? I would.

Yes. Over-mating/stressing the younger ones was what I was referring to because I was thinking there's no point in feeding/keeping the older ones over the winter if I'm not getting any return.

The eggs that I would want to hatch would be from the younger ones since they are not only the better layers, but they lay the largest eggs as well (even if compared to when the older ones were younger). It will be my first time incubating our own eggs.

Guess we'll have some fresh chicken on the menu soon.