We've been looking for some more RIR's for the winter (since our Delawares have all but stopped laying in the cold weather). Found a local guy with 10 RIR hens wanting $10 each for them, seems fair enough . . . BUT he says they are all 2-3 years old.
He says they're still laying strong right now even through the cold weather. Is it worth it for these older hens? I know there's a finite egg-laying life to all chickens, not sure how close these are to their retirement age?
Another question -- what's your advice for introducing these new ladies to the flock? Existing flock is 9 Delawares (4 roos, 5 pullets, ~8 mos old), 2 RIR pullets (~6 mos old), and 6 RIR/BR pullets (~3 mos old -- one might be a roo). I've heard that when introducing new birds it works better in a large group such as this (I'll be adding ten of these 2-3yr RIR's) but do I still need to separate them for a few days? Weeks?
Thanks for your advice!
He says they're still laying strong right now even through the cold weather. Is it worth it for these older hens? I know there's a finite egg-laying life to all chickens, not sure how close these are to their retirement age?
Another question -- what's your advice for introducing these new ladies to the flock? Existing flock is 9 Delawares (4 roos, 5 pullets, ~8 mos old), 2 RIR pullets (~6 mos old), and 6 RIR/BR pullets (~3 mos old -- one might be a roo). I've heard that when introducing new birds it works better in a large group such as this (I'll be adding ten of these 2-3yr RIR's) but do I still need to separate them for a few days? Weeks?
Thanks for your advice!