Help me live in reality: What to do with older hens?

[Sonic Chicken]

I have a thread going in the re-homing section but I'd like the general consensus about what to do with older laying hens. They are all between 4 and 7 years old. They all still lay eggs. In the spring, with an incredible fresh diet and 1/2 acre to roam free range, I was getting 5-6 eggs a day. Now I'm down to 2 a day from 7 hens. They're like pets so I would not like to personally eat them. I can't take care of them anymore because of an injury and I really need to lighten my load. I thought of putting down the oldest ones and moving on the younger, but 4 years old is not really the best laying years for someone who is serious about wanting laying hens. Should I just have my vet euthanize the lot? They wouldn't suffer, either at the ax or with the pink syringe. Either way, it seems like a waste. There are people like me who run towards the overly-compassionate side and bond with anything with eyeballs and then there are people who see hens as a commodity with a general 'use by' date. It's hard when reality smacks you in the face.

Thoughts?

Here's my re-home thread...am I being realistic?

"Lay" it on me. I'm a big girl. I can take a reality smack.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-hens-all-4-years-and-up-sacramento-area-only

 

[SIMZ]

Awww.....I like the ad! Someone may just be looking for some sweet older hens to enjoy and not necessarily care about the eggs. I sure hope you find someone. Craigslist may also be an option.

The others things you mentioned are always an option if you can't find a (good) home.

Hope you feel better soon, too!

 

[Sonic Chicken]

Thanks SIMZ! I just found this thread and it's helping me see the reality. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/810006/what-do-you-do-with-your-old-hens

Most importantly, I don't want my chickens used as bait birds and suffer a long death. If they're going to meet death, I'd rather know it was quick and efficient at my hands.

 

[welasharon]

my mom adopted a couple old hens from Minnesota. THe girl wanted them to live out their old lives in the warmth. Maybe you could find someone nearby who would take them. One was nine and the other was four or five.

 

[SIMZ]

Thanks SIMZ! I just found this thread and it's helping me see the reality. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/810006/what-do-you-do-with-your-old-hens

Most importantly, I don't want my chickens used as bait birds and suffer a long death. If they're going to meet death, I'd rather know it was quick and efficient at my hands.

That's how I've come to see things with my chickens. I'd rather know than think they're being mistreated or suffering somewhere. It's a tough thing, though.

 

[Anna6]

Put a post on Craigs list for free older hens. Do not ask what people will do with them. If they get eaten it is better then being euthanized and wasted in my opinion. Who knows they might end up lucky and be some ones pet.

 

[SMonroe1990]

Personally when mine stop laying they are going in my freezer. I only have a limited amount of space and I'm sure once I've had the fresh eggs I'm not going to want to give them up. I'm trying to convince my husband to build me a bigger coop and run than what I already have, but no such luck yet. He has named a chick of his own and I keep telling him that when we don't get eggs anymore she is going to make wonderful chicken soup and enchiladas. But to each his own. Some people like to keep them as just pets and that's perfectly fine. Others have the mind set, like me, that they aren't going to keep feeding a bird that isn't giving them eggs. I hope you can find your girls a home though.

 

[Mrs. K]

It never hurts to ask....

if you don't get a response, then take them to the vet, they are going to be only good for soup, otherwise, and I think you would feel better, if you just put them down.

The culling thing is each to his own view point. I have ones that I cull, but there is Butter, who will be here past that, she has raised a lot of chicks for me. Even us tuffys, have a weak spot for some.

Mrs K

 

[mozartofsilence]

I live in Davis and have a flexible work schedule - is your situation as such that if someone local could come by and do the heavy lifting that you would be able to keep your girls? If so I would be more than happy to volunteer!