Kirmi8
Songster
Hi all.
I have a mixed flock of 16 leghorns that will be 2 years in April/May and 6 EEs that will be just a year this spring and some BYM that just turned a year in the fall.
Obviously the leghorns are my best producers and I'm just wondering how much longer I can reasonable expect them to keep producing? My biggest question is when do people start adding "replacement" chicks/hens to their flock? Like if I did chicks again this spring, would that be good timing to anticipate then the be laying when the leghorns are slowing down?
I don't have plans to cull the older ladies at all as long as they are happy and in good health, but I'd like to keep up egg production. But I also can't have a million chickens as much as I would like that.
Would it be best to just add 5 or so new birds per year? And that would cover losses? And not cause me to overcrowd?
Looking for input and thoughts on how you all have done it and what is ideal or gold standard for flock maintenance. Thanks!
I have a mixed flock of 16 leghorns that will be 2 years in April/May and 6 EEs that will be just a year this spring and some BYM that just turned a year in the fall.
Obviously the leghorns are my best producers and I'm just wondering how much longer I can reasonable expect them to keep producing? My biggest question is when do people start adding "replacement" chicks/hens to their flock? Like if I did chicks again this spring, would that be good timing to anticipate then the be laying when the leghorns are slowing down?
I don't have plans to cull the older ladies at all as long as they are happy and in good health, but I'd like to keep up egg production. But I also can't have a million chickens as much as I would like that.
Would it be best to just add 5 or so new birds per year? And that would cover losses? And not cause me to overcrowd?
Looking for input and thoughts on how you all have done it and what is ideal or gold standard for flock maintenance. Thanks!