My husband just asked me this question again last night... I think I probably fall very close to the median consensus: Some of them are pets, and have been pets since day one. They will live on in retirement. Some of them are not. I sold a few of those after their first full summer of laying, so I could still get a nice price for them, and replaced them with new ones. We also have started feeling more and more comfortable with eating the birds we raise, so will probably butcher a few along the way, too. I like what some of you said about doing that before winter when they pretty much stop laying anyway.
Love the variety of opinions and practices.
Love the variety of opinions and practices.