The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Glaswegian on May 03, 2010, 06:04:48 pm

Title: what age?
Post by: Glaswegian on May 03, 2010, 06:04:48 pm
hi all.
i am a bit of a novice at this chicken keeping.i am looking to buy some light sussex hens,but i was wondering what is the best age in months to buy.i rang a chap who had hens for sale.they were two years old. is this a bit old for a hen? ???

                                       cheers johnie.
Title: Re: what age?
Post by: jameslindsay on May 03, 2010, 06:26:50 pm
What age should you get chickens?   Top
While you can buy fertilised eggs and hatch them, it is a better idea to buy either day old chicks or point-of-lay pullets. Point-of-lay pullets are about 18 weeks of age and are just at ‘the point of laying’, which usually starts at about 22 to 24 weeks of age.

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: what age?
Post by: Rosemary on May 03, 2010, 06:31:23 pm
If they are a pure breed and cheap ie a couple of quid, they might be OK.

Best (most productive) age to buy is about 18-22 weeks, called point of lay (POL). Most hens will start to lay 22-24 weeks. They lay best in their first year, then egg production decreases by about 25% each year. In the best year, the number of eggs may be between 260 and 300 eggs.

I haven't bought any birds this year but I was paying nine quid for POL hybrids last year. I sell my surplus at 1.50, so three dozen eggs pays for the hen (excluding feed costs of course).

Hope thsi helps, but others will have more information and views.
Title: Re: what age?
Post by: little blue on May 03, 2010, 06:45:29 pm
if you want layers then 2 years is getting on abit in chicken years for egg productivity.
having said that, they should still produce a fair few, so it depends really on whats you prefer - a nice family sized production or omelettes every day and twice on sundays!
Title: Re: what age?
Post by: Rosemary on May 03, 2010, 10:42:19 pm
Yes, it's easy to overestimate how many eggs you will actually use, especially one the novelty is over.  :)
Title: Re: what age?
Post by: Glaswegian on May 04, 2010, 07:02:22 pm
hi.
thanks all for your info.i'll keep it in mind when i'm buying. ;)

                        regards.johnie.