"Chicken Retirement Home"

[Sjisty]

I have a few chickens who don't lay eggs, but they are here for life. I get tons of enjoyment out of my chickens and consider most of them pets. They are avid pest control agents and weeders (of course they don't know the difference between weeds and grass). Their most important job, more than supplying us with eggs, is to take away our stress at the end of the day when we can go outside and watch "chicken TV."

They also don't cost that much to keep, as they free range. I pay more to maintain my dog and she has yet to lay the first egg!

 

[al6517]

Quote:
Your Dad's advice is good and here on the farm it's must, but in this time where folks are keeping small chicken flocks in there yards right next to the grill, it is probably not heeded. Anytime there are woman and children involved in raising any animal there will be names and critters running around who will never carry their weight regardless of age. It is not realistic to beleive your wife or children will ever get rid of Dorothy the ole hen when she stop's layin and that's fine and dandy, but I think I would draw the line at a burial and funeral service at the time of their passing LOL.

AL

 

[RidgesideBeauty]

Quote:
Hey now... not true. This woman names her notable chickens (the ones that aren't named "EPU #1, 2, etc"... Egg Producing Unit)... but Baron the rooster may be going to freezer camp sooner rather than later (he even attacks the 80 lb weimaraner). And while I really am fond of my hens and treat them with the utmost respect as living creatures, I have no problem with humanely slaughtering and eating them rather than running a chicken old age home when the time comes. In fact I feel better about the concept of eating my girls (who I know have had excellent and happy chicken lives) than picking up a factory farmed chicken at the grocery store. Raising chickens keeps you honest about where your food comes from.

Now, I fully admit that the cats around here will never carry their weight, except as footwarmers. And the weimaraner is functionally useless as well. Cockatiels too, but not much meat on them.

 

[bock]

I have a 7 year old EE who just quit laying last month. She used to lay 5-6 eggs a week, but I think she is nearing the end.

I vote chicken retirement home!

 

[teach1rusl]

You probably won't know until the time comes, really. By the time their egg production falls way off (if you get good laying breeds, they probably won't just STOP laying eggs come 2-3 years; more likely you'll just start getting less and less eggs per week), you may see them as you see your dogs or cats...pets. Or maybe not. You don't have to kill them; you can usually find someone who will take older birds for stewing. Their life will go toward feeding someone still. However, my girls are here until they die of natural causes or predation. But I knew going in that they would be pets rather than livestock.

 

[greenmulberry]

I keep my chickens for life, but, I live in the country and even though I only free range them when I am home, we have predators and something gets one or two every year. Just a month ago some coyotes came and ran off with two in broad daylight! We were home and stepped out in time for them to run right by with the hens.

So, in my case, I don't find they live forever. I have talked to the girls and they would rather take the risk and free range than be locked up all the time. I add a bew pullet here and there, and they make up for the older girls who take longer vacations.

I have one chicken left from my original batch of 4, who is now a 5 year old EE, and she lays off and on. When she us laying she lays often, but she seems to take lots of breaks.

 

[eKo_birdies]

Quote:
wow...

what a joke.

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
Hey now... not true. This woman names her notable chickens (the ones that aren't named "EPU #1, 2, etc"... Egg Producing Unit)... but Baron the rooster may be going to freezer camp sooner rather than later (he even attacks the 80 lb weimaraner). And while I really am fond of my hens and treat them with the utmost respect as living creatures, I have no problem with humanely slaughtering and eating them rather than running a chicken old age home when the time comes. In fact I feel better about the concept of eating my girls (who I know have had excellent and happy chicken lives) than picking up a factory farmed chicken at the grocery store. Raising chickens keeps you honest about where your food comes from.

Me too! I name many of my chickens, but when it's time for them to go, it's time. And i feel better about their becoming dinner when i know i treated them well during their lives.

 

[spottedtail]

Have never had a chicken die of old age here.
Generally laying hens are sold at either 2 or 3 years of age.
Some go to the Sunday dinner.
The chickens are considered a hobby only and not members of
the family, so there's none of that emotional stuff when they go.

spot

 

[chickfamilyonsleepyhollow]

We'll be adding on a retirement section to the coop for our girls when they are no longer able to lay