ELI5 Why do so many ppl treat chickens expendable??

[The Birb King]

I wonder what makes a hen eat her eggs? Does she accidentally do it, then get a taste?

It can be a number of things, usually boredom or lacking something in their diet. Once they start it can be hard for them to stop. Mine eat eggs sometimes, but they haven't broken any recently which is good

 

[MysteryChicken]

Chickens are a weird mixture of pets and livestock. They are used for food but they can be pets.


However, even though they can be pets, no one needs more than a few roosters for their flock at the most and it's downright unethical and irresponsible to rehome an aggressive roo unless the person you're giving him to plans on eating him. Culling an aggressive bird is the most responsible thing to do. As for older hens it depends on one's needs and management style. I think both approaches are fine as long as the birds are treated humanely

Even my pet chickens on occasion become food. But that's rare here, they're often left to live a long life, & die naturally.

 

[FrostRanger]

I agree culling an aggressive bird is fine, but I feel like its a little unfair to kill "extra" roosters without even giving them a chance. If they are nice at least try to re home them first

You can certainly try, but ik in some places people won't even take a free rooster. Especially if he's a barnyard mix. It just depends. Certainly try if he's nice, but understand many people already have too many roosters

 

[z3lda3]

Chickens are a weird mixture of pets and livestock. They are used for food but they can be pets.


However, even though they can be pets, no one needs more than a few roosters for their flock at the most and it's downright unethical and irresponsible to rehome an aggressive roo unless the person you're giving him to plans on eating him. Culling an aggressive bird is the most responsible thing to do. As for older hens it depends on one's needs and management style. I think both approaches are fine as long as the birds are treated humanely

It obviously just becomes a pickle. I’m not sure about anything else, but chickens should be treated with thought and caring. That’s all I know. Oh and apparently chickens have a gene (it’s dormant) to grow teeth.

 

[The Birb King]

You can certainly try, but ik in some places people won't even take a free rooster. Especially if he's a barnyard mix. It just depends. Certainly try if he's nice, but understand many people already have too many roosters

Yea I always end up with too many roosters at the end of the year since I hatch my own eggs, and luckily I'm usually able to find them new homes and sell them. That's why I don't sell birds at the auction anymore because you just don't know where they will end up

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I wonder what makes a hen eat her eggs? Does she accidentally do it, then get a taste?

Some develope it as a habit, some just take advantage of the opportunity. I had one I loved but had to cull because she actively was seeking out eggs and even raided a duck nest to break open and eat them. The hen that only laid 3 had weak eggs and her 2 likely just broke from being stepped on or rolled wrong.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I agree culling an aggressive bird is fine, but I feel like its a little unfair to kill "extra" roosters without even giving them a chance. If they are nice at least try to re home them first

Not everyone can rehome roosters

 

[sourland]

When an animal is considered "food", it is not given the same rights as a "pet". Which is sad, but unfortunately the way of the world.

True , sad reality.

 

[z3lda3]

Some develope it as a habit, some just take advantage of the opportunity. I had one I loved but had to cull because she actively was seeking out eggs and even raided a duck nest to break open and eat them. The hen that only laid 3 had weak eggs and her 2 likely just broke from being stepped on or rolled wrong.

And she was an older hen?

 

[z3lda3]

Not everyone can rehome roosters

And what’s the general consensus about sneaking a bird into someone else’s flock nearby? lol kidding mostly