Commercial Egg production

[Colored Egg Farmer]

The chickens are are over 1 year i'm not sure exactly the farm we got them from didnt' really specify. Once production is low like it is now we just have are feed specially made for what the chicken needs.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Let me clarify the question. When the birds are no longer bringing in a profit(not earning their keep) what does your family do with them? Or are they just kept?

Are they sold for meat? Usually about what age are they 'done'?

-Kim

 

[Colored Egg Farmer]

The age really isnt a factor. It really depends on the chickens and us to make sure we give them the stuff they need. When the chickens leave they are sold to a rendering plant where they are used to make meat. that is where my knowlege ends. We keep them as long as we possibly can it takes money to get rid of chickens so we keep them helthy and laying as long as posible.

 

[justinszoo]

Glad this is back up!! Back in my school days our FFA group used to move "spent" hens out of an egg production house. The conditions were awful in my opinion and I only did it once. The birds there were sold off to ppl like you, that were willing to give them a better life. Tho they may not be free, I am sure what u are trying to do is alot more than the larger companies, so PROPS to u.

Best wishes in your plans for the future.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Quote:
It actually costs you money to remove the chickens? I thought they were "sold" for meat.

I can see how it is more economical to keep the birds healthy.

-Kim

 

[Colored Egg Farmer]

Is there any more questions I'm not here to start a heated debate. I just want to give you (the people of BYC) the real story about chickens farming on the commercial scale. Some may hate this subject and want to say things. But this is only for the ones that want to learn. So if you want any more question answered ask away. Just keep it appropriate.

 

[Colored Egg Farmer]

It takes us money to buy the chickens and get them out. We dont get paid to get rid of them. We have to pay to get rid of them. The meat isn't enough to pay for the cost of the move. That is why why we try to keep good care of them.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

That makes sense. Thanks CEF that was an aspect I did not know about the commercial side.

Now, the birds in cages, are the cages battery cages? What is the typical density of these cages?

I know each farm is different, and your farm is trying to make a difference. Thank you for showing us the other side of the fence.

-Kim

 

[Colored Egg Farmer]

Our density is 5 per cage but there are cages with less. We really can't give you a perfect count but these cages could hold 9 chickens each. There is nothign better to see than a chicken starting to regrow her feathers. The only problem we have is that the nails are over qrown but that is nothing we can do and that is the way we got them.

 

[justinszoo]

Quote:
May I ask what the project is?