What season to cull the flock?

[MaggieMoo21]

^^^

While I cull (for my table) pretty constantly, the above strategy influences how heavily and what I cull. Typically more coming into winter - removing older birds, coming into molt, who are reasonably expected to lay few eggs in the coming year. Unproductive mouths.

Less in Spring, when producing replacement birds for fall/winter laying is more critical. This also works with my pasture - which is far less productive in late fall/winter than in spring/summer.

Most of the summer and fall culls are males (from spring hatchings) of course, while the late fall/winter culls tend to be more older hens.

We're talking about getting straight run dual purpose chicks for future purposes since we are beginning to get interested in birds for the table as well.

From what I've read online, since originally posting, most people do a heavy cull in the fall.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

We're talking about getting straight run dual purpose chicks for future purposes since we are beginning to get interested in birds for the table as well.

From what I've read online, since originally posting, most people do a heavy cull in the fall.

Yes. I incubate (or did last year) non-stop, setting 12 eggs roughly every three weeks - and I should have culled harder than I did in Fall, but was constrained by space. My birds (and goats) have a new "Camp", and I'm looking forward to sending more there.

Also, I have very mild seasons and a lot of pasture, as well as more day light than most of the US, so I'm less affected by the seasons than others.

There is no one right answer, but there are thousands of wrong ones. Make the best decision you can with the information available to you, then adjust based on your own experience for your own circumstances.

 

[Mrs. K]

The size of the flock for me, depends on the season. You can cheat in the summer on numbers, especially if a lot of them are chicks...but come the long nights of winter, the number of birds needs to fit your set up.

I would cull laying birds in the fall. Older birds can add a lot of correct chicken society in a multi-generational flock. So I would cull those 24 month old birds in the fall if they are not laying well. I would not hatch their eggs either. Egg laying patterns are genetic.

Mrs K

 

[EggSighted4Life]

These three are 25 month old BSL. We already have 5 new chicks that are about 6 weeks old because I figured we would be retiring the BSL sometime in 2022.

This age hens.. I sometimes "cull" to another home for $15-20, which is more than the meat is worth on the table to me as well as saves me the processing time and effort (I'm kinds slow so it's about 45 minutes per bird for me).. early to mid spring AS lay returns so that the next home can get a whole season of eggs before the next molt. I also disclose that molt will happen again and eggs in winter should not be expected.. Some folks manipulate this using lighting and even that will eventually come full circle but the time out of lay can be lessened.

If culling to my freezer or pot.. then it's done at my convenience for all the reasons others mentioned.. age for tenderness, flock antics (cockerels go according to attitude sometimes), coop space, freezer space

When I lived in the city.. there was a law that NO animal harvesting was allowed! Many city folk would be horrified and don't wanna know where their food comes from or that something dies for them to live.

If putting the ladies in your pot.. make sure to let rigor pass before freezing or cooking.. and adjust cooking method.. these won't be fryers, to me not even roasters.. but good stew birds.. the pressure cooker, or a slow low with moisture method.. makes great enchiladas, tacos, chicken pot pie, or noodle soup, or shredded chicken dishes. The chicken flavor is also much stronger than a supermarket bird.

Feeding mature birds in winter is NOT a waste to me.. their eggs are already full size and they're out of lay LESS time than it takes to raise new chicks.. which is usually not less than 4 months but closer to 5 or six in many cases and I've even experienced 9 months.. The mature birds also already got with the program and routine. Practicing all in all out may be a good idea, for many reasons! It's just not my preferred method. But I DO indeed prefer to move in some fresh layers and out some of the elders every year when possible.

Even in the country, space, time, feed, and other resources are not unlimited. Most all of us have varying scenarios and many of us realize that what works for one person in one location may not work for another even right next door. Our flock are very dynamic.

I'm glad you're having chicken adventures and hope you're enjoying the BYC community as well!