Surviving Minnesota!

[lvie]

There might be some lavender cuckoo coming north . DW is chipping away at my plans with DR appointments . I have a large batch of the cuckoo project eggs due to hatch Tuesday . They have been laying up a storm . Egg color is good on these as I tweaked the lavender egg color when I first got them . Color is mostly good . The pullet pen has 8 pullets and I get 6 eggs a day steady . Some are large for pullet eggs .

I am in for a couple of lavender cuckoo. Especially with that egg count. In the Mother Earth News this month there is a good (I think) article on breeding good egg layers on page 58. Improve Your Flock with Trapnests. Today I have been keeping my birds in lock down, collecting eggs and labeling them. Only nine eggs from 19 hens. Kind of tired of this. Although it is a little slow because of the light and the weather.

 

[lvie]

I like / almost love this!

 

[lvie]

So am I correct in my thinking that IF I am raising chickens for the eggs I should give them until the end of May to step up to the task, watching diligently, and then decide on who stays and who goes?

 

[I Love Layers]

So am I correct in my thinking that IF I am raising chickens for the eggs I should give them until the end of May to step up to the task, watching diligently, and then decide on who stays and who goes?

How old are the birds? I would give them a week or 2 to step up production

 

[lvie]

Quote:
There are five just coming up to three years and the rest are all one year or under.

 

[I Love Layers]

There are five just coming up to three years and the rest are all one year or under.

The 3 year olds should go.
Pullets reach max production around 32 weeks and decline .5% every week after until only.
If you are Looking to maintain a goof laying flock it is best to replace birds every 60-72 weeks.
That's basically my plan, at 55 weeks set as many eggs as possible, or order new chicks, I am not sure yet, to replace the layers. The hardest part of hatching my own will be getting enough females

 

[duluthralphie]

WHAT!?

I am so upset, you get to use your puker and my puker has been banned by BC!!!!!

 

[MinnesotaNice]

@jerryse , I'd be interested in some lav cuckoo's as well. If you're selling hatching eggs, I'd be interested to know what breeds and price. Just shoot me a msg if you do end up this way.

The 3 year olds should go.
Pullets reach max production around 32 weeks and decline .5% every week after until only.
If you are Looking to maintain a goof laying flock it is best to replace birds every 60-72 weeks.
That's basically my plan, at 55 weeks set as many eggs as possible, or order new chicks, I am not sure yet, to replace the layers. The hardest part of hatching my own will be getting enough females

Interesting. Even the strong layers like leghorns and production breeds?

I get chicks twice a year. Spring and late Fall. Sometimes I end up with random birds at other times because they're cute and I'm weak when it comes to cute things. But I typically move mine out every 1 1/2 - 2 years. I have a few that are 3 and one that is going on 4 years of age. We're a bit attached to those ones, so they get a pass......for now. Muah.

 

[MinnesotaNice]

Oh my, that puker looks like me Saturday morning! I'm too old to celebrate St. Patty's day. That is for sure.

 

[Cebarmlds]

I am so upset, you get to use your puker and my puker has been banned by BC!!!!!

Maybe cause my puker isn't in motion. It's 'still art'. HAHA