Can anyone else NOT get rid of chickens?

[Lucy4]

Ok, so my husband let me get our 4 pullets for eggs. What we kind of didn't discuss is that after a year or two, egg production goes down. Now if we had a big property, it wouldn't matter much. Just get a few more chickens! But we live in a tiny residential community. No can do.

My friends with chickens sell them after a year or two. (I guess presumably for meat.) I don't think there's anything wrong with that... but I can't do it! Even though I'm only attached to two of the chickens, I couldn't get rid of any of them. I'd just feel terribly guilty!! So that leaves me with chickens who live a good long spoiled life... but very few eggs.

My husband rolls his eyes. He thinks I should be more realistic. But I can't do it. sigh. Anyone else in this situation? I WISH I LIVED ON A FARM!!

 

[SmartyChick]

your not alone. We can't do "it" either. It is difficult now because of limited space (we are moving to place with more space soon). We have a neighbor who eats everything, I mean everything (possums, squirrels, problem roos you name it) so we give our low layers to him. I felt bad at first, but it really is for the best. If you find someone who you know that will take care of them for you it might work out...

 

[kyrose]

its been hard for me to part with any of my chickens but i just rehomed 9 to a couple that live on a farm and swear they wont eat them.i didnt have a choice (most were roos ) so i had to trust them.there are many people looking for chickens as pets and would love to have hens,so if you can bring yourself to let them go im sure you could find a good and loving home for them..

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

If you are loosing eggs after only two years of life, your not doing something right. Chickens have been known to lay productively well after 5 years of life. And if its only for your fridge, whats the need in top producing birds anyway?

 

[SoJoChickens]

You could look for a rescue operation that won't kill them (not many around that have extra capacity though) or you can get DH to sell them one day while you are out of the house. Then get some new baby chicks to fill the void. The first time is the toughest...

 

[Wifezilla]

Welcome to Marshmallow Kingdom. (While I am not the queen, I am on the royal court.)

 

[stephhassler]

I have a harder time with hens than I do with roosters. I think the hens gave me their best, they layed their eggs for me and if they are slowing down with old age, then that's just part of life. I have 4 leghorns that are slowing down, but between them all I still get 2 eggs a day. I have two bantams who haven't layed eggs in months and months. But again, I have a very hard time even thinking of getting rid of the girls, or eating them, because they layed like crazy their first two years and I think I should let them live their life naturally. Talk to me again in a couple of years and maybe I'll have changed my mind.

The roosters on the other hand, I have no problem getting them processed and eating them. They are so tasty, I'll never eat another grocery store chicken! Maybe it's because my boys have all been mean, nasty things. I do have a barred rock boy now who is 8 months old and showing no signs of becoming mean, so he may be spared the freezer.

 

[joedie]

Quote:
Couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[Uzuri]

Are you actually SEEING a huge decline in eggs, or have you just read that that's what happens? From your post it almost seemed to me like you'd just started with chickens.

Truth of the matter is that while the COMMERCIAL value of a chicken drops after the second molt for a backyard owner you're probably going to see plenty of eggs yet

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

I can't bare to part with any of my animals unless I absolutely have to. Egg production has begun to start going down at our place but I firmly state that none of my chickens will leave this home until nature allows it to happen. They bring me true happiness and if living with a few less eggs means keeping that, so be it.

As for the lower egg production...I must agree that you shouldn't be seeing that few eggs. They should still be laying normally after only a year or two.