AJuff Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Watching my chooks today I thought about the future of eggs in the flock. I started with three hens, I was so impatient for more hens I got another three a few weeks later. They are now 18months into laying. This summer I got four new girls who are POL, no eggs yet! When the existing six finish egg laying then the other four will still be laying. So should I extend my flock by two or more each year for a constant supply of eggs? Does anyone plan for eggs in the future??????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Yes, very similar situation here! I started with a pair of chickens and feel very lucky to have the space to have increased, but have made a decision that 10 is the maximum. It started with just wanting more lovely hens anyway. But this year, with the older ones dying or "retiring", I did think about the egg implications. I made a plan to keep adding 2 or 3 pullets every year or two, when possible. The plan went out of the window when I adopted an 18mth old pair instead of POL, so they'll be similar age to some of my others. Oh well, I'll def. get POL next time, but it will be a while now. If I only had room for 2 or 3 hens, I could have become eggless by now & would just be giving them a retirement home. It's a good point to realise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 I am planning to increase my flock by one or two next year, or maybe the year after. I am quite happy with my two, but by staggering any new ones I get I hope to maintain a supply of eggs for myself with a small flock. I'm not in a rush to get more chickens, I'm worried about upsetting the equilibrium, and introductions and things like that. Also I'd like to get some experience with 2 for a full 12 months, right through all the seasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
