When to cull?

[momofthehouse]

Hi I am wondering about culling and if there is a way to know which breed I should cull when? I have a variety of breeds and they range from 5 weeks old to two months currently and I am trying to make a plan of action. I dont want to cull everyone as I want to breed as well. Is there a simple way to know which breeds to cull when? Also they are all in the same coop will my meat still be good if they are with egg layers cause my meat birds will still lay eggs. My coop is a 10x10 with a 40ft run. I have a smaller older coop that if I wanted to cull some birds I could remove them to that coop instead but it can't hold but about 10 birds. I have 60-70 birds.

Any links or advice is appreciated! Let me know if you need more info. Was just looking for maybe a generic link to go by but not set in stone?

 

[LindaB220]

Hi I am wondering about culling and if there is a way to know which breed I should cull when? I have a variety of breeds and they range from 5 weeks old to two months currently and I am trying to make a plan of action. I dont want to cull everyone as I want to breed as well. Is there a simple way to know which breeds to cull when? Also they are all in the same coop will my meat still be good if they are with egg layers cause my meat birds will still lay eggs. My coop is a 10x10 with a 40ft run. I have a smaller older coop that if I wanted to cull some birds I could remove them to that coop instead but it can't hold but about 10 birds. I have 60-70 birds.

Any links or advice is appreciated! Let me know if you need more info. Was just looking for maybe a generic link to go by but not set in stone?

Hey Sweetie, it can be about how you like it. If putting 10 roosters in a batchelor pen until you cull. That's all good. Start with the birds you want to keep. Then start culling, either selling or set aside to grow a little more for the table. Separate the breeds that you want to keep. I'd let them all grow a little more to choose which ones you want to breed. Extra roosters are gone. Done.

 

[momofthehouse]

I dont want to cull someone then be told I should have kept that one cause it was a good meat or egg roo or hen.

This is what I have based on info I have received.

Leghorn roo breed to:
-EE
- black sex link
-leghorn hens
-crusted cream leghbar
-Australorp (was told this mix with a leghorn makes for a good meat and laying breed?)
=these equal good laying hens but not so meaty

Meat Birds are my:
-Black copper marans
-RIR
-Wyandottes
-Australorp
-Salmon favorelle
-Cochin (wont be ready to cull til around 7-8 months)
-White Jersey Giants (wont be ready to cull til around 7-8 months)

I also have silkies but those are my mama birds for broodiness.

So on my meat birds which roo do I breed to which hen to get good meat birds but maybe not as good of a laying bird?