- Jul 19, 2009
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Our 7 chickens are getting old and not laying many eggs. THey are now 3 years 3 months old. I find myself quite reluctant to slaughter them (though I suppose I could if I had to) since they've been pets all this time. Yet I have to either find homes for them or slaughter them, because I am going to raise a new flock (I just bought 10 new chicks last week) and there isn't room in my urban backyard for all 17 hens, nor am I willing to continue to feed and house 7 hens who have been reduced by age to mere pets. My plan is to keep my favorite 2 of the old 7 hens, and give away or slaughter the remaining 5, then in time add the 10 new pullets to the old 2 hens for a new flock of 12.
I am sure other backyard chicken keepers have run into the dilemma of what to do with their older chickens, if they feel attached to them and are reluctant to slaughter them. What solutions have you found? I can't imagine that there would be a lot of people wanting to take on pet chickens who are too old to lay eggs. I suppose I could give them away on craigslist to someone who would end up slaughtering them, thus at least sparing myself from having to do that...has anyone else done this, or have any tips or advice?
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area.
I am sure other backyard chicken keepers have run into the dilemma of what to do with their older chickens, if they feel attached to them and are reluctant to slaughter them. What solutions have you found? I can't imagine that there would be a lot of people wanting to take on pet chickens who are too old to lay eggs. I suppose I could give them away on craigslist to someone who would end up slaughtering them, thus at least sparing myself from having to do that...has anyone else done this, or have any tips or advice?
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area.