A little different scenario....

[resthavenfarms]

I'm a licensed vet tech, and we're both well aware the costs of euthanising things both large and small via veterinarian....

Yes, he knows what he does for a living. These are "different", to him. We're still discussing this. He has a friend at work who may provide a safe-haven for them, he's a special-needs person and he has a few chickens as pets. That would, to me, be a better option than giving them to someone that I don't know, to starve or who knows what else. And I will admit I do have a few favorites in the bunch, but I'd be okay with eating them still.

I asked him how he'd feel about getting meat chickens specifically for the purpose, and he said he's okay with that. I don't know if I trust him on it though.

 

[Judy]

Probably the best scenario would be if he took his time and thought himself into doing the deed on his own, knowing he had given them both a better life and a better death. Dying of an illness is not doing them a favor, and even dying of old age might not be better than a sudden well-planned end. He should be allowed to cope with this on his own terms, though, I agree.

Maybe you two should talk about your doing it when he is not around, but I wouldn't do it without his having agreed. I think this is mostly about his dealing with what he does for a living -- certainly takes priority over dealing with a few old hens.

Good luck.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Quote:
well said. or you could just keep them & look at them as pets, old hens eat less than a dog

 

[Tiffrz-N-Kidz]

I was going to suggest what Katy said. If it's just a few birds, what's the harm in keeping them around? It's not like they are horses that eat $100 of feed a month.

The man kills animals all day long, but has a soft spot for a few 'useless' hens so I am thinking that if they make him happy they aren't exactly 'useless'. Maybe see about sending a few to the special needs friend and keeping 2-3 at the house. (With the stipulation that any new hens that come into the fray are soup when they finish laying.)

Of course I've been divorced twice so maybe I'm not the best one to take marital advice from.