Raising poultry, whether a backyard flock or free-range birds on a homestead or farm, does come with the fact that the flock will need to be freshened at some point. Of course, when new hens are brought on is determined based on your needs.
As a small family farm that sells eggs to her community, my laying hens need to be in prime egg production. At the same time, a backyard chicken keeper may choose to go three to four years before incorporating new flock members onto their property.
When is the right time to replace your existing flock?
Determining When and Why You Need to Replace Your Poultry Flock
The decision to replace your flock of laying hens can be a challenging one. For many, it is emotionally based as chicken keepers tend to love the birds that provide them with nutrient-dense fresh eggs. For others, it is strictly a business decision. When I say it is a business decision, understand that small family farms still practice excellent animal husbandry for the flock.
Whiting True Blue and Blue Laced Red Wyandotte hens.
When to Replace Your Poultry Flock | Decline in Egg Production Due to Age
A decline in egg production will depend on where each hen is age-wise. A hen will lay the most eggs during her first year of laying. With proper care and conditions, most hens will lay — as expected their breed — for about two years. After that two-year mark egg production will decline over time which is why it’s common to bring on new chicks every other year. Remember that chickens will continue to lay as the age, but are you okay with fewer eggs weekly vs. when your flock was younger and at peak production?
HIGH-PRODUCTION LAYERS
Families, homesteads, and small family farms that utilize eggs daily will often select chicken breeds that are categorized as high-production layers. These hens provide an average of 280 to 320 eggs per year — which is ideal for those who sell eggs to friends and family, or at a local farmer’s market.
High-production layers generally begin laying early, and will lay many eggs consistently. For example, Pearl White Leghorns may begin laying as early as 16 – 18 weeks. The Black and Red Star sexlink hens can begin laying roughly at 18 – 20 weeks. While high-production layers will begin laying earlier than other breeds of chickens, it’s important to remember that they will slow down egg production at a much earlier age than medium or slow production hens.
A few of my favorite high-production breeds include:
- Whiting True Blue and Whiting True Green — not only are these hens high production layers, but they also lay blue and green eggs.
- Black Australorp — this is an excellent bird for those with young children and a great laying hen to have in a flock.
MEDIUM-PRODUCTION LAYERS
Much of my flock consists of medium-production layers. In addition to needing high-production breeds to meet our egg sales needs, and I love pretty-looking chickens.
Medium-production layers will lay an average of 200 – 280 eggs annually and can provide eggs consistently much longer than higher production chicken breeds. Egg production for these medium-production chicken breeds will begin to slow down around the two-year mark.
Many of the layers considered medium production are also known as dual-purpose hens. They are good/average layers, and large enough to be considered a good size meat breed. However, they produce less meat than the Cornish Cross or Big Red Broiler.
Another thing to remember is that average layers will lay eggs much later, around six months of age.
- Bielefelder — large, beautiful dark brown eggs; quiet and gentle birds; and a nice large size for a dual-purpose flock
- Ameraucauna — blue to blue-green eggs; and easy to raise and good for families
- Ancona — white eggs; active and great for a free range flock
- Blue Andalusian — white eggs; pretty blue birds; active and great for a free range flock
- Buff Cochin — brown eggs; pretty golden birds; quiet and gentle birds; and a good broody hen
LOW-PRODUCTION LAYERS
Hens considered low-production layers are generally rare and exotic breeds. Bantam breeds also fit into this category. The average egg quantity annually averages fewer than 150 eggs. They are smaller and tend to lay fewer eggs than those listed above. Some of these breeds are great for younger children and backyards — for example, the Silkie Bantam. Silkies are also prone to become broody often, so while they may not lay many eggs they are useful for hatching out eggs.
As a sustainable family farm, I only have a little experience raising bantam and rare, specialty breeds. Well, other than the Silver Laced Cochins, and let me tell you they are stunning birds, quiet and very gentle, and they tend to go broody. Though they do not meet the criteria I need for my farm, eggs, or meat production I enjoy having them around.
Silver Laced Cochin free ranging on a homestead.
When to Replace Your Poultry Flock | Predator Issues
Predator issues and death in a flock — especially those caused by wildlife — can be quite upsetting and frustrating. A bobcat or fox can be persistent and remain in the area as long as they can hunt your birds. Often, these creatures only move on once food is no longer readily available. Even more devastating, is to lose a flock, or flock members due to dogs and/or cats.
Learn the laws regarding predators in your county and city regarding trapping or shooting animals who kill, or are attempting to kill, livestock (including chickens and other poultry). I know this may be difficult for many. However, consider this fact if you wish to raise poultry. Smaller predators like raccoons or possums can usually be trapped and taken to wildlife facilities.
When to Replace Your Poultry Flock | Disease
Losing a flock due to an illness is tough, especially one out of your hands. Avian Influenza infects domesticated poultry as wild birds carrying the disease migrate each season. In some years, the cases are minimal, but in other years it has been quite devastating.
With many diseases, it is advised to keep birds off the land for up to one calendar year where sick flocks inhabited and allowing the land to rest. This allows any bacteria to die off during this rest period. Also, it is advised that coops and other structures be thoroughly sanitized.
In 2017, our flock suffered a horrible blow. Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (a strain of avian influenza from migrating waterfowl) devastated many flocks in the Pacific Northwest. The disease spreads like wildfire, and there is no treatment. Our flock of 54 birds, chickens, ducks, and guinea fowl was culled.
Coccidiosis, if caught early enough, is a treatable illness among poultry. However, when ignored it can spread through your flock leaving a lot of dead birds in its wake.
Solid bio-security measures on your homestead are key to preventing diseases. The diseases mentioned above can be transported by other birds and animals, on the bottom of shoes, on equipment, and even tires. It’s important to have a plan to protect your flock and plan for disease management. Meaning:
- How do you intend to protect your flock from migrating waterfowl?
- Where will you place new birds as your soil rests?
- Is there a secondary coop available as you sanitize the existing coop?
Chickens and ducks free ranging on a homestead.
When to Replace Your Poultry Flock | Plan Accordingly
Those who raise poultry need to know that the flock will need to be freshened throughout the years. There are a few places that will take older poultry. However, these individuals and organizations can be difficult to find. You must decide what to do with poultry that no longer provides fresh eggs daily.
Older birds can be used as stew birds or in the garden as pest control, and a few of them (if they have shown signs of it) can be kept as broody hens.
For those who cannot cull their birds, find a friend, neighbor, or local farmer who can help. If you do not want the meat, I am sure these individuals will gladly process the poultry in exchange for the meat.
When to Replace Your Flock | Stagger the Arrival of your New Flock
I advise families who wish to have a continual flow of eggs to stagger the amount of hens added each year. For example, if your property can accommodate 15 hens, consider bringing in 5 each year. I would incorporate birds in this manner:
- Five high-production layers in the first year
- Five medium layers in the second year
- Five high production layers in the third year, cycle out the first year hens
- Five medium layers the second year, cycle out the second year hens
- Repeat as indicated above
Selecting poultry based on egg production will allow you to have a continued supply of eggs. And, for those seeking a pretty egg basket consisting of colored eggs, you have great options in both the high and medium production breeds!
Ann Accetta-Scott is a homesteader in Tennessee raising poultry, goats, cows and rabbits. She is an educator and encourages those who are seeking to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Ann is also the face behind the website A Farm Girl in the Making and author of The Farm Girl's Guide to Preserving the Harvest.
Photos courtesy of Nina Mullins.