When should I get rid of my hens?

Dustieburk

Chirping
5 Years
Joined
Mar 18, 2014
Messages
152
Reaction score
8
Points
71
Location
In caring for chickens and chicks in Tehachapi, Ca
I have all different aged chickens and I was wondering when do you get rid of your older hens and what would be considered old for a hen. I do like getting eggs from my hens sometimes giving them away and sometimes selling them to friends. I have at least 10 hens that lay for sure, one old hen but i don't know if she lays any eggs, chicks that i just got, then a hen hatched some now I have another hen setting on more and my coop is not big enough for that many chickens. My hands are full with chickens and chicks.
 
Over-run with chickens, hey?

I think you probably need to look at this issue over a period of a few weeks. Why? Because as you've just hatched out chicks (and apparently have more coming), a good percentage of those will be cockerels - which I presume you won't want to keep.

If that's the case, you probably need to allow time to determine who is a boy and who is a girl, and I suspect you will be able to reduce your flock size fairly considerably once you know that for sure. The excess roos can either be sold or culled. The recommended ratio for roosters is 1 rooster for every 10 hens.

As far as your mature hens go, you will need to spend some time and figure out who is laying and who isn't. I have one old girl who I adopted 6 months ago and she has never laid for me. She was worth keeping though, as she acted as a buffer between my existing flock and my new chicks - protecting them, teaching them and introducing them safely into the flock. She was well worth keeping for that reason.

If you have many non-producing hens, you have a decision to make - based on who is not laying (and taking into full consideration the season and daylight hours available, the moult, and those recovering from brooding chicks) you can sell or cull out the non-producers.

Going forward, you probably need to consider your stance on allowing broody hens to sit on eggs. If you don't have the room for any more chickens, it might be a better idea to use a buster cage and break any future broodys. If that does not appeal, alternatively, you may be able to sell any surplus stock you accrue.
smile.png


Krista

ETA: I tend to ignore the physical age of my hens, as it will vary between breeds as to what 'old' is anyway. If they are still producing eggs regularly, that's a cue to keep them. If not, they can go. I don't base that decision on their age at all.
 
Last edited:
Thank you that was a lot of help. I have Game crosses with Rhode Island Reds, Black Stars, and also game hens. With the chicks that I bought I have Delawares, Black Copper Mrans, Rhode Islands, Easter eggers, and Welsumers. The chicks that the hen hatched are out of the hens I have already, a game rooster, and two Rhode Island red crosses. Might not be able to understand what I just said I know it is crazy. I have lost my mind. Oh and I don't know if I just spelled everything right you get the point. haha
lau.gif
duc.gif
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom