At what point does it become abuse?

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They are occasionally allowed "free range" time, but then expected to put themselves to bed and lock the door behind them. We lose a chicken or two a month to predators because somebody "forgot" to put the chickens to bed. Out of this flock of eight, chickens #1, #2, #3, #4 and #6 went to predators in this manner over the last 23 months. Then there are the girls who get stressed out (#5) and start eating eggs. They go for a ride in the country, never to be seen again. #7 hit the jackpot: nobody locked the gate, she wandered out the next morning and a herd dog got her, so double whammy. Although disabled for life, she has survived thus far. Then #8: she's started to eat eggs now. I am worried that she will soon be earmarked for a ride in the country. I realize that chickens sometimes just die, but 6 1/2 dead chickens out of a flock of eight seems like a high mortality rate.
 
Gramma Judy said:
They are occasionally allowed "free range" time, but then expected to put themselves to bed and lock the door behind them. We lose a chicken or two a month to predators because somebody "forgot" to put the chickens to bed. Out of this flock of eight, chickens #1, #2, #3, #4 and #6 went to predators in this manner over the last 23 months. Then there are the girls who get stressed out (#5) and start eating eggs. They go for a ride in the country, never to be seen again. #7 hit the jackpot: nobody locked the gate, she wandered out the next morning and a herd dog got her, so double whammy. Although disabled for life, she has survived thus far. Then #8: she's started to eat eggs now. I am worried that she will soon be earmarked for a ride in the country. I realize that chickens sometimes just die, but 6 1/2 dead chickens out of a flock of eight seems like a high mortality rate.
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It is the responsibility of the owner to keep their flock protected, especially at night when they are very vulnerable. That means making sure they are secured in a predator proof coop at night.

It's the responsibility of the owner to collect eggs in a timely manner.

It is the responsibility of the owner to provide medical care for an injured bird (or euthanize in a humane manner if quality of life is affected).

And finally, it is never ok to dump an animal, whether that's a chicken, puppy, cat, what have you. That's making it either a meal for a predator, starvation for the chicken or someone else's problem.
 
Gramma Judy said:
They are occasionally allowed "free range" time, but then expected to put themselves to bed and lock the door behind them. We lose a chicken or two a month to predators because somebody "forgot" to put the chickens to bed. Out of this flock of eight, chickens #1, #2, #3, #4 and #6 went to predators in this manner over the last 23 months. Then there are the girls who get stressed out (#5) and start eating eggs. They go for a ride in the country, never to be seen again. #7 hit the jackpot: nobody locked the gate, she wandered out the next morning and a herd dog got her, so double whammy. Although disabled for life, she has survived thus far. Then #8: she's started to eat eggs now. I am worried that she will soon be earmarked for a ride in the country. I realize that chickens sometimes just die, but 6 1/2 dead chickens out of a flock of eight seems like a high mortality rate.
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They are not being properly cared for, that's for sure.
@N F C hit all the nails on the head.
Is there any way you can step in and either offer to take the survivors or suggest they are rehomed and the current owners give up keeping chickens? They should not own chickens. They are either not prepared to or don't care to give them the species specific care they require to thrive.
 

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