The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: egbert on January 03, 2011, 12:57:16 pm

Title: Best time for new hens?
Post by: egbert on January 03, 2011, 12:57:16 pm

Hi

What is the best time of year to be thinking of getting some new hens at POL? We want to expand our little flock of 3 now we have finally built their new enlarged run.

Title: Re: Best time for new hens?
Post by: CarolW on January 04, 2011, 07:44:24 pm

Hi Egbert,  I'm not too sure when the best time is, when we were just starting with chooks our neighbour said over the years he'd bought his at different times of the year and never had a problem.
We thought it would be best in the spring but when we had finished the run at the beginning of February 3 years ago I couldnt wait and we went straight out and bought our first 6 !  They were fine, even though it was really cold, and although 1 died (large egg which she couldnt lay, we tried to help but lost her) the rest are still doing well.

Title: Re: Best time for new hens?
Post by: manian on January 04, 2011, 08:37:04 pm

i would suggest spring as well
they should start laying for you by the summer then
(although we moved in may and had to wait till august for ours!!)
 :chook:

Title: Re: Best time for new hens?
Post by: plumseverywhere on January 04, 2011, 08:39:02 pm

I got half of mine in the spring and half in the autumn. so far we have eggs all year as the autumn girls have been laying through winter while the others had their moult and rest.

Title: Re: Best time for new hens?
Post by: daddymatty82 on January 04, 2011, 09:03:30 pm

im starting to incubate from next week i think  but i just add chooks as and when i need. as i need them now i only got 3 bantams now as 3 were got last week by charley so im going to hatch asap

Title: Re: Best time for new hens?
Post by: Buffy the eggs layer on January 06, 2011, 07:38:12 pm

Hi,

    as most people hatch birds in at the start of the year then spring and summer are when there are more available for you to choose from. Show breeders tend to establish their breeding pens in around Oct time with a view to raising chicks early in the new year as these birds tend to have more vigor and fertility levels are good at this time. This also allows them to have birds at their optimum for the show season.

some studies have shown that March hatching birds lay better through the winter months but this can also vary with breed. POL birds purchased towards the autumn and shortened daylight months may not produce eggs until the days lengthen in the following year.

I set my incubator and broodies at the end of Jan with a view to having chicks available for sale around Easter..(well what better time of year for chicks :D!) this would make them POL in the summer time.

Good luck with what ever you decide to buy :chook:

Buffy