Chicken Math: Subtraction?!

[BaaKaaawk]

Subtraction what?!? That's not chicken math, only ADD ADD ADD!

If I raise chicks I usually sell some off on craigslist. I lose some birds to predation, though rare. I keep most of my old hens because they have laid eggs for me for multiple years and it is the least I can do to repay them. Many people put them in the pot- mine have names so I can't do that. I've given away some retired hens for free on craigslist to people who just want animals around. Lots of options.

 

[aart]

Subtraction is part of the deal here, has been from the get go.

I could be wrong, but I'm thinking that an older hen would not be terrifically good for eating, and I’m pretty sure that I would not want to process a laying hen.

They are delicious for stews and stock, the longer you rest the cleaned carcass the more tender the meat. Have had to slaughter a few that were still laying.

I sell a few, I eat a few. I like older hens in stews or chilis. They also make fantastic chicken stock. I remove birds when they no longer have merit for laying or breeding; that's usually around three years of age for the layers and older for breeding stock.

About the same here.

 

[Ted_Harrell]

In the end, we all know what we are capable of. We must balance work(unless we are retired), children, spouses, family, and life. Life can be hectic and that itself helps us realize what is too much and how much more you can take. God has blessed us with these animals and we need to do right by them and they will bless us immensely..

 

[TwoShepherds]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. It's really helpful to hear how others manage their flocks. I originally wanted to start out with 10 birds with the possibility of expanding to around 15. However, a book I read warned about shipping losses if ordering from an online hatchery and suggested buying a couple extra chicks, and I assumed I'd have one or two that were accidental cockerels, so I ordered about 3 extra. Fortunately all the chicks lived, and I'm fairly sure they are all pullets. SO I have 13 now instead of 10. Everyone gets along really well, and the coop doesn't get smelly too quickly, so I'm hesitant to rock the boat.

The only thing that would make me want to make chanages within the next year or two, is if neither of my two Easter eggers lay blue or green eggs. I know the eggs taste the same, but it would be fun to have a few colorful eggs among the brown. It's nice to know that some hens lay even up to 3-4 years and beyond. I won't have to make hard decisions too soon, and I'm hoping my girls are healthy and long-lived.

I am very interested in getting some meat birds in the future, it's something that's hard for me to think about, and I know it would be even harder for me to do, but it would be nice to be more self-sufficient, and I don't like how commercial birds are treated for various reasons. It might be easier to process birds if I knew from the start I should not get attached to them. If any of this group has to go, I may just have to sell or give them away for someone else to do it.

Thanks again, everyone! This site is such a wealth of knowledge. I spend way too much time here.

 

[aart]

Fortunately all the chicks lived, and I'm fairly sure they are all pullets. SO I have 13 now instead of 10.

How old are they?
Selling a few pullets at point of lay might pay for nearly all the other chicks.

 

[TwoShepherds]

They were born May 13 so will be 5 months around the middle of October. Not quite laying yet. I'm not sure if we'll get eggs in the fall or winter with the shorter days, but I'm sure that won't stop me from checking.