When do you usually "restock" your flock?

[saladin]

Quote:
If you will make the switch to some of the old and rare breeds you will get a longer steadier production cycle. You can also choose breeds that are good winter layers to offset those whose production has slowed down.

For example, I get good steady egg production from Javas for 4 or 5 years. They are not like a hybrid that blows themselves out in 18 months to 2 years.

 

[abhaya]

I keep my birds thru 2 molts cull at the start of the 3rd molting season buy new chicks every year to replace the culls.
This way my flock is always laying. I have a couple that are pets and will retire on the farm

 

[peterlund]

Quote:
I know the logic... I just got to get the mindset I am sure. I have a buddy that is wanting and willing to learn to do this. He is a kind soul, so it isn't for gore or entertainment... Soooo... I guess I will prepare another small freezer for the girls as their time comes due. I do have good luck selling hens around here for fairly good $$$. I sold quite a bit last year at 16 weeks old for 15 to 18 bucks each. MAybe some I will try to re-flock to someone trying chickens for the first time. Whatever... time will tell.

 

[peterlund]

Quote:
I have two that will live out their lives with us as well... Actually 3... there are two we call "goldie" as they look act and are exactly the same in friendliness.. We really don't need to tell them apart I guess. The others are just, well, chickens.
Thanks for all the input.

 

[midget_farms]

It seems I lose half my flock over the course of a year (25 hens or so). So I am adding new ones each spring. I have yet to have one make it to 3 years old - though my rooster was trying - until he got eaten 2 weeks ago.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Quote:
There is this mythology that well bred egg production birds "blow themselves out in two years" but I've never seen it in any of the sex-links that I've had. If properly managed they lay profitably for two years, but they don't stop laying after that. I've got a handful of four year old red or black sex-links that are still laying just as good as any of my traditional breeds. Not enough to pay for their feed, but I'm keeping them to breed from so that's OK. Many of those "old and rare" breeds have been so poorly selected for years now they'd be hard pressed to lay profitably for even one year. A hundred fifty eggs a year in their pullet year will run you broke.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yes, these posts have been very good.

I also have NOT found that the sex links "blow themselves out" in a year or two. Most will lay as good or better than a standard breed well into their 4th year. That said, what is that production? It often drops 3 to 4 eggs a week. Frankly, our farm simply cannot afford to keep hens that do not produce a minimum of 5 eggs a week. Feed costs are horrendous and grain prices only continue to rise.

If you raise for selling pricey stock or heritage, fertile eggs sales, or other breeding purposes, that's entirely different.

 

[saladin]

That may very well be so AT. I wouldn't know since I don't raise chickens for 'egg money.' Nothing wrong with it; I just don't.

My son keeps the Javas; has for years. I believe they are good birds.

I keep birds that I can only wish layed 150 eggs a year. If they did.......... man I sure could make some money on that many chicks!

 

[Domestic_goddess]

I keep a set of 3, first set chicks younger then a year, then 1 year olds and then 2 year olds.....and at 3 years we cull. Every year we get new chicks to replace the ones we've culled. Yes they may go through a molt, but with any luck, they'll regain laying within few months and you'll get a good amount of eggs again. I have 24 hens and I'm hoping to get more this spring, we've had good luck selling the eggs. This has worked for us, and we have more eggs then we can use. Good Luck with whatever you decided to do!

 

[Olive Hill]

A.T. Hagan :

Quote:
There is this mythology that well bred egg production birds "blow themselves out in two years" but I've never seen it in any of the sex-links that I've had. If properly managed they lay profitably for two years, but they don't stop laying after that. I've got a handful of four year old red or black sex-links that are still laying just as good as any of my traditional breeds. Not enough to pay for their feed, but I'm keeping them to breed from so that's OK. Many of those "old and rare" breeds have been so poorly selected for years now they'd be hard pressed to lay profitably for even one year. A hundred fifty eggs a year in their pullet year will run you broke.

Spot on!

If anything hybrids tend to be steadier, more productive and more reliable than many of the "old and rare" breeds that are available to the general public today. IME, many tending to lay right through even their molt. I don't have any these days, just not in my breeding or using plans, but when I did I never wanted for eggs, that's for sure. And I kept plenty well into their 2nd year specifically because they could remain productive and dependable that long. Which doesn't go for many of the "old and rare" breeds, unfortunately.​