Hi - we are into our second year of raising laying hens. We got our first 50 Red Sexlink chicks last spring. They have been laying about and egg a day each since they started laying. We couldn't keep up with the demand for farm fresh free run eggs so we added another 50 ready to lays this spring. It is still a learning process and we have learned a lot.
The only thing I can't seem to get a good answer to by "googling" is when do I expect the older birds to stop laying and is there anything that I can do if the older birds are starting to produce soft shell eggs more frequently.
Many tell me they will lay for at least two years - but is this the case for a Sexlink - they have been laying machines for a year!
Will giving free access to oyster shell help with the quality of egg - we feed egg maker with the grit already in it but do they need more?
Your site seems to be the best I have found for getting good answers!
Thanks!
Hi - we are into our second year of raising laying hens. We got our first 50 Red Sexlink chicks last spring. They have been laying about and egg a day each since they started laying. We couldn't keep up with the demand for farm fresh free run eggs so we added another 50 ready to lays this spring. It is still a learning process and we have learned a lot.
The only thing I can't seem to get a good answer to by "googling" is when do I expect the older birds to stop laying and is there anything that I can do if the older birds are starting to produce soft shell eggs more frequently.
Many tell me they will lay for at least two years - but is this the case for a Sexlink - they have been laying machines for a year!
Will giving free access to oyster shell help with the quality of egg - we feed egg maker with the grit already in it but do they need more?
Your site seems to be the best I have found for getting good answers!
Thanks!