Does anyone do something like rotate in new pullets every two years to keep egg production going? Or do you just tend to wait until a hen is not laying to bring in new stock? I got my chickens from a friend and they are 1-2 years old, then I got baby chicks right away but I'm going to have lots of eggs once they start laying soon lol
Yes, I do rotate my chickens so that I keep as close to optimal laying as I can because my family needs eggs for dietary reasons (gluten intolerance which causes us to rely more heavily on eggs in baking). To help offset my feed costs, I sell eggs, which also causes me to be concerned with egg numbers.
It means constantly planning the next generation to take the place of those who are being retired and thus managing your flock so at least half are in the prime years and 1/4 close to retirement and a 1/4 coming into lay. It also means figuring out what you are going to do with the older layers at retirement unless you have unlimited space (most of us backyard hobbyists don't).
Some put the older hens on Craigslist (easier to do if they are 2 or 3 years old), some eat them, some simply cull them. Keep in mind that an older layer usually doesn't have much meat on her as her energy has gone to egg production. Even dual purpose birds will get a bit "stringy and gamey" as they get older.
I have gotten lucky to find a family at church who wants my older birds as they like the extra large size eggs. (A bird will lay more prolifically the first couple of years, tapering down in quantity after that but also generally laying larger size eggs than before...typically extra large to jumbo depending upon the breed.)
This family has a farm and can free range a large flock, so they can keep the number of birds it takes to get the egg quantity they need from older layers. We call their place the Happy Hen Retirement Home...where my birds go for retirement living.
I also am attempting to stagger my breeds so I can tell at a glance who is how old (and I keep a notebook). I like having a mixed flock for the beauty of that but I also find benefits in the different breeds.
I am lucky in that I have a faithful Silkie who goes broody every 3 to 4 months (purchased for that purpose), so I'm putting new eggs or feed store chicks under her at least 3 times a year. I supplement with some seasonal broodies in my main flock if I need to hatch more eggs or foster some sex links (ie got too many roos the last time).
That's what I am doing anyway...I'm always working on perfecting it.
Lady of McCamley
Hubby says I spoil them too much. He's a juicer so they get lots of good greens to eat and I also bake home made bread for them. I do get a few young chicks every year just to get a few breeds that I don't already have, I like variety and it makes it easier to name them when you can tell them apart LOL
