I pair first 12 pair up on Feb 1st, next 12 pair on Feb 7th and last 12 pair on Feb 14th all are placed on Darkness. Being doing this since 1994 and seems to work well.
36 widowers and their hens of which 24 race, although I'm a wee bit overstocked with youngsters if anyone interested!! Also I keep 8 pairs of stock birds.