Can anyone else NOT get rid of chickens?

[honeydoll]

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Couldn't have said it better myself!

I'm not sure about this. I was told about my comets to expect about 2 yrs. of laying than a pretty quick decline in egg production. Sure some do lay awhile, but from what I've read there are some breeds that do taper off quite a bit at a young age. I would sell mine if they didn't provide for us enough, actually as difficult as it would be I'd probably process them.

 

[jelmer]

Then move to a farm

 

[Lucy4]

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Wow, what a helpful response.

Thanks to everyone else. This wasn't a "I'm grumbling about egg production" post. It was a "I like my chickens and can't think about parting with them once they're not laying as much... hubby doesn't agree... anyone else?" post. You know. Sometimes we can chat about our chicken feelings without it being a dire situation.

As for egg production, yes, I'm talking about what happens after year two. We're only getting past year one. This is information I've gotten from friends who've had chickens a while... but I hope they're wrong! With a house of hungry boys to feed, we got through a dozen and a half a week! And now that I've had chickens, I hate buying eggs from the store. Especially since I know where they come from.

In any case, we're talking about moving the coop away from the neighbor's eyes, expanding just a tad, and maybe adding two girls next year. We'll see. I'm glad hubby seems amenable to that.

 

[Beekissed]

But those girls will taste so yummy if you eat them!

And then you can get more.....just think, baby peep peeps!

 

[Lucy4]

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Ok, you just made me laugh. But I can't do it! Sorry.

I anthropomorphize everything. They're my little girls with feelings, even the bratty ones!

 

[Jenski]

Oh dear, you just need to build MORE COOPS!!!

Come on, what's four more hens in a year or two . . .


Seriously though, it might be worth considering getting say, two more pullets in a year, and then perhaps plan on adding two every second or third year. Over time this may account for losses due to illness or whatever. And if you have a 100% survival rate, well then . . . just relax into your role as the neighborhood crazy chicken person.

This message has been brought to you by your friendly suburban neighborhood crazy chicken person.

 

[sonew123]

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That would be me@ Fluff sucker queen!!! I will sell off a few pullets and hens I have not gotten attached too ( because they wont attach to me!) but other than that all hens that are named stay until nature takes them. The roos that are extra I process for food-

 

[hensonly]

HEy, Bygones75,

where inNYS are you? I'm between Albany and Saratoga...I have a dozen gold sex links, including two roos...hey, wanna borrow a roo for a month or so, then your neighbors would be delighted to let you have more hens instead!!

And just for the record, my hens will also live out their lives right here...but I have 60 acres and several neighbors have chickens also, so no complaints from them! You could also tell your neighbors that you'll share eggs with them if they don't complain about your extra birds...

Contact your local 4H about maybe finding homes for your aging hens when the time comes. Might be some kid would like a nice friendly hen for a project. Good Luck!

 

[joebryant]

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That would be me@ Fluff sucker queen!!! I will sell off a few pullets and hens I have not gotten attached too ( because they wont attach to me!) but other than that all hens that are named stay until nature takes them. The roos that are extra I process for food-

Now there's the rub. I too made the mistake of naming two of my hens, and even if I could harden my heart to ever get rid of them, my wife would kill me if I did. Chicks and roosters go out of here all the time with no caring on anyone's part though.
Ain't never gonna name no chicken ever again never.

Yikes, I almost forgot. My Silkies. Could NEVER give away one of my silkies.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

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Ok, you just made me laugh. But I can't do it! Sorry.

I anthropomorphize everything. They're my little girls with feelings, even the bratty ones!

Heh, sounds like me when the farmers around here bring up the 'food' thing. Even if not all of my birds are named, can't part with them. I think it would make me physically sick if my mother said, "We're eating Rocky today, guys. Grub's on." Even mean roosters don't sound remotely appealing to me. Not if I knew them. No, if they have a place in my heart, they have a place in my world.

Just IMO.