Curious on what happens to your older poultry?

[TriciaHowe]

Mine also have passed from old age. My oldest hen is between 7-8 yrs old right now. She's a red sex-link. A lot of people though sell their aging hens for younger stock though and that's ok too. I guess whatever you do it's just a person choice and how much room you have for geriatric birds LOL!

 

[saddina]

You want my recipies?

We eat them, same with surplus roos. Old layers make good coq au vin, tamales, enchaladas, or any long slow cooking methods. If we lived someplace where we weren't limited to a few by the city, they'd stay around for a 3rd or 4th year, the last 2 went to live with a friend who bought 80 acres and was happy to get hens laying in November, instead of waiting to start out with chicks in spring.

 

[Chicky Tocks]

I have a connection who takes all of my older hens that have seriously slowed down on the laying. They have a nice little farm and they do not eat them, they just love having them around. The bonus is they are free ranged completely after a couple of weeks in the pen. It's kinda like putting them to pasture. These people do have enough of the hens that occasionally lay so they get eggs as well.

The funny thing is that the first time I sent my hens "to pasture" they had stopped laying because they were in molt, and I had no idea about molt!

 

[mjdtexan]

My neighbor has already told me he will take my birds as they age. I plan to buy 20 hens every October so that they are ready to lay by March or early April. I imagine they will become tamales over there.

 

[Moxiechick]

I don't have any chickens yet, but I plan on keeping the ones I will get. I'm looking forward to chickens not only for their eggs, but also as garden helpers. As long as the old ladies are willing to eat bugs and weed seeds, poop, and scratch compost around, they will always be welcome!

 

[Slywoody]

Chicken and dumplins'
Chicken noodle soup ETC. They make the best broth. Don't boil, just simmer.

 

[geepy]

My hens have a forever home, which hasn't been very long lately, do to a bobcat investation. Now that it seems to be under control.
My extra roos make the best chicken and rice. I have two original hens (that survived the carnage) that give me eggs once in a while. My favorite has a deformed beak but she still eats her food. I won't let her sit on her own eggs because of the defored beak, but she is a good broody hen and momma.Shes 7 or 8 years old now.

 

[chickenzoo]

Mine are great poo spreaders for the horses and other animals. They see a tail go up and there they go............... priceless.

 

[debilorrah]

I am gonna have to start thinking about that soon as we want to breed. Our originals, 1 roo and 6 hens, there are still 5 hens and the roo!

 

[Penturner]

I am just getting started. been doing a lot of reading and jsut bult my Aviary. I don't have a coop because for now I am interested in Jungle Fowl rather than chickens. although there are some chickens that I would be interested in having Roos. But there are all the other problems that come with Roos so I have decided to get a Male Grey Junglefowl for now. The primary reason is to have a pet. the secondary reason is to try and save the hackle feathers for my penturning friends and Fly Tiers. If it works out as I plan the bird will earn his own keep. But in any event I have every intention of letting him live out his days here. I would also like to find a female and try producing some chicks but they would all have to sell or I cannot do it. my limit is going to be 3 birds at the very most. So far I have not had a lot of luck locating a source for a Breeder Quality female but I am also looking a bit early for this years production. So far the one bird has cost me a grand total of $400 and change. So he has his work cut out in order to pay for himself, lol