Profiting from the Pastured Laying Flock

Hybrids (ISA Browns, Sex Links, Lohmanns) lay more (up to 320 eggs/year) eat less (130 g/day) forage well are winter hardy are as disease resistant as standard breeds are calm and friendly are a bit smaller (4 lbs) won’t breed true available as Ready-to-Lays Standard Breeds (Rhode Island Red, Plymoth Barred Rock, Australorp) lay less (up to 250 eggs/yr) eat more (170 g/day) are equal to hybrids in disease resistance, hardiness, and friendliness are a bit bigger (4.5 lbs) will breed true not available as RTL’s

Top 10 reasons why to keep hens

10. They’ll eat your food scraps.

Top 10 reasons why to keep hens 10. They’ll eat your food scraps. 9. When they’re done laying, you can make soup from them.

Top 10 reasons why to keep hens 10. They’ll eat your food scraps. 9. When they’re done laying, you can make soup from them. 8. They’re easy to care for – can do with children even.

Top 10 reasons why to keep hens 10. They’ll eat your food scraps. 9. When they’re done laying, you can make soup from them. 8. They’re easy to care for – can do with children even. 7. Start-up costs are small.

Top 10 reasons why to keep hens 10. They’ll eat your food scraps. 9. When they’re done laying, you can make soup from them. 8. They’re easy to care for – can do with children even. 7. Start-up costs are small. 6. They’ll till ground for you.

Top 10 reasons why to keep hens 10. They’ll eat your food scraps. 9. When they’re done laying, you can make soup from them. 8. They’re easy to care for – can do with children even. 7. Start-up costs are small. 6. They’ll till ground for you. 5. They fertilize (directly and through composted litter).

Top 10 reasons why to keep hens 10. They’ll eat your food scraps. 9. When they’re done laying, you can make soup from them. 8. They’re easy to care for – can do with children even. 7. Start-up costs are small. 6. They’ll till ground for you. 5. They fertilize (directly and through composted litter). 4. They can control pests.

Top 10 reasons why to keep hens 10. They’ll eat your food scraps. 9. When they’re done laying, you can make soup from them. 8. They’re easy to care for – can do with children even. 7. Start-up costs are small. 6. They’ll till ground for you. 5. They fertilize (directly and through composted litter). 4. They can control pests. 3. Eggs are a wonder food.

Top 10 reasons why to keep hens 10. They’ll eat your food scraps. 9. When they’re done laying, you can make soup from them. 8. They’re easy to care for – can do with children even. 7. Start-up costs are small. 6. They’ll till ground for you. 5. They fertilize (directly and through composted litter). 4. They can control pests. 3. Eggs are a wonder food. 2. Pastured, local, organic eggs are in high demand.

10. They’ll eat your food scraps. 9. When they’re done laying, you can make soup from them. 8. They’re easy to care for – can do with children even. 7. Start-up costs are small. 6. They’ll till ground for you. 5. They fertilize (directly and through composted litter). 4. They can control pests. 3. Eggs are a wonder food. 2. Pastured, local, organic eggs are in high demand. 1. You can make money from them. Top 10 reasons why to keep hens

Factors Influencing Rate of Lay the right amount of a well-balanced feed constant supply of cool, clean water at least 14 hours of light a day age

Factors Influencing Rate of Lay the right amount of a well-balanced feed constant supply of cool, clean water at least 14 hours of light a day age health

Biosecurity Don’t let disease hitchhike on boots from one farm to another Get your chickens from reputable sources, and preferably just one source Day-old chicks less likely to bring disease than adults Quarantine new arrivals for a period to monitor for disease before introducing them to your flock Preferably practice an all-in, all-out policy, with waiting period in between

Marketing

Laying Ducks Golden 300 Hybrid Layer – available from Metzer Farms in the US

Laying Ducks Advantages better foragers more disease and cold and wet weather resistant simpler housing can’t fly = shorter fencing better tempered? easy to herd lay their eggs early Disadvantages more vulnerable to predators, because can’t fly need more water, and will make a mess with it runny poop makes bedding dirtier quicker and egg washing harder

Vermont Compost Company

Further Resources (ducks) American Pastured Poultry Producers’ Association (great listserv for members) (good info) Poultry Swap Ontario (listservs, poultry stock) (good info) (my if you have any questions)