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[Goldie]

Hi all - I have a trio of hybrid hens, a Light sussex (Whitey), a Speckledy, and a Black Rock (Blackie). Their laying habits have been a bit different, they were all POL about April-May time last year, and I have heard that hybrids have higher production for their laying years, but lay for fewer years than pure-breeds.

Whitey has laid near on 365 days a year, no break for a moult this winter. Speckledy has had a break for moulting from around November-Feb but has since resumed normal service! Blackie has had a few health problems and stopped laying about July time, we have had 2 eggs last week from her which were highly unexpected!!

As whitey has laid all year round, will she stop sooner than Speckledy, who has had a break? I heard 2 years is about all the hybrids manage when they don't have a break, is this true?

At what age have your chooks stopped laying, and was it dependent on their productivity?

Interested in hearing your tales!

Goldie

 

P.s. if Whitey hasn't had a moult...when is she likely to??

[sjp]

my 2 laid 6-7 eggs a week for about 12 months without moulting one was a columbine the other a Columbian black tail the columbine then laid on and off for about 3 or 4 months after the moult then stopped she lived till she was about 3 and a bit years. the black tail laid a lot of doubles and softies early on she then only laid a few eggs after she moulted and didn't last much past 2 years old.

the thing to remember with hybrids is that were only designed to be commercially productive for about 12 months and are 'moved on' at about 78 weeks old regardless of which system they are in

[merlina]

Edna is a warren and is 3 years old and still laying well - pretty much every day.

She's never done a moult though! (or at least not that i could tell)

[jasperaliceuk]

My ginger girl Mimi that we got May 2011 at 18 wks seems to have stopped laying. She has laid 3 lashes which could have foretold the end of her egg laying days perhaps. I still keep expecting her to lay one as she goes into the box and makes every sign, with lots of gentle noises - but nothing. She's a happy girl though despite being very off colour if she does lay a lash.

 

Sue