Last year was NOT a good year for laying hens on our farm… and that is an understatement. Our sheep and goats were sold the previous year and with them, the livestock guardian dogs. We had not realized the extent of their influence in keeping predators at bay even around the chickens, who they were not trained to protect, till they were gone.
Starting out the year we had 225 chickens, mostly hens but also a few roosters. I had raised more than I needed because I believed there was a market for young hens. About the time they began laying in the early spring I sold 60 hens, leaving me with 165. I thought that would be more than enough hens to supply the market for pastured farm-fresh brown eggs but decided to wait to sell any more till I could see how sales were going to level out. Maybe I should have sold them all knowing what I know now, but hindsight is 20/20. Continue reading »