when is it time to replace layers

[veggiecanner]

WE can only have 6 layers.
I was given a bunch of bantie crosses last year and by the time we got rid of all the roosters we ended up with 4 hens. my husband brought home 6 pullets about 8 weeks ago. So now I am curious when the banties will be ready for freezer camp.
Is it really worth it to winter hens over for a second winter? (N. Idaho)
It would be great if I could have some older ones each year while raising some new ones but I don't think we are really supposed to.
From what I understand we're limited to 6 period. Which means if we want replacements we are stuck buying full size hens or having periods with no eggs while we raise chicks.
I am just trying to get an idea of how long between raising new chicks is most productive.
We are getting about 15 eggs a week from the 4 banties.

 

[Den in Penn]

Most hens are the most productive the first year. There is a drop off in egg production each year there after. Different breeds and individuals of a breed will vary in the drop off. How old till they stop laying can also vary. Commercially bred chickens tend to have the largest decline. If I were limited to six hens I think I would replace three every year if I wanted both the eggs to have no period of no eggs. The hens going into their second year will molt and lay no or few eggs, just as the new pullets start to lay. If you replace them all with POL (Point Of Lay) pullets you won't have to mess with brooding them and you will have only a short time with out eggs.