Ideas for rehoming 14 chicken hens? Please? Difficult situation/good birds.

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Mkdietrich

Mkdietrich

Chirping
May 18, 2019
26
39
74
Maryland
My life has changed, and I’m having to make some tough decisions. I’m taking care of two separate flocks of birds (one ducks and one chickens) mostly by myself now (this is a change), and it’s just too much. After a lot of thought, I’ve decided that I have to disband my flock of chicken hens. I have someone taking 2 of them, but that still leaves 14 needing a home/s. Seven are 1-year old Hy-Line browns and the rest are under 2-years old (mix of breeds). They are all laying and in good condition. Anybody have any ideas about how to do this so that I don’t put them in a bad situation? I’m ok with rehoming or slaughter, as long as the birds are treated well. I‘m very open to any suggestions. I’m worried that if I advertise them they’ll end up being used for target practice or fed to snakes or something. Thanks, in advance, for any suggestions.
 
Set a price of 10+ dollars per hen and require someone buy two hens. If you use Facebook, advertise them in you local poultry groups. Require people to send a photo of their coop if you will consider selling them hens. Anyone who wants to buy hens with the intention of harming them will likely not want to pay $20+ for the hens, likely won't be on chicken FB groups, and probably won't have a good chicken coop.
 
I had to do something similar a couple of years ago. Life happens, and just know that you're doing your best for your birds.

You could post an ad to rehome them (craigslist), but the ad would be clear that it's a placement vs a sale. You talk (via phone) and you drive to the place to look at the premises as if you were placing a rescue dog. Then you exchange the birds if you like what you see and hear. I've seen this be successful without money because you're putting the buyer/adopter through a decent amount of red tape, but I'd think you could still charge. Also, you could think about splitting the flock into two groups of about 6-8, as that's a good number for people who have done their homework and are serious about getting started with chickens.

I also agree with the approach of posting on your state's thread on BYC. It might be a bit harder if you have to split them up into many groups, having to go out to the pen and reduce the flock several times until they're all placed, but it might work out well as you can see their postings and have an idea what type of chicken owner they are, just if you quiz them a bit to make sure their postings are really sincere.
 
Mkdietrich said:
My life has changed, and I’m having to make some tough decisions. I’m taking care of two separate flocks of birds (one ducks and one chickens) mostly by myself now (this is a change), and it’s just too much. After a lot of thought, I’ve decided that I have to disband my flock of chicken hens. I have someone taking 2 of them, but that still leaves 14 needing a home/s. Seven are 1-year old Hy-Line browns and the rest are under 2-years old (mix of breeds). They are all laying and in good condition. Anybody have any ideas about how to do this so that I don’t put them in a bad situation? I’m ok with rehoming or slaughter, as long as the birds are treated well. I‘m very open to any suggestions. I’m worried that if I advertise them they’ll end up being used for target practice or fed to snakes or something. Thanks, in advance, for any suggestions.
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Hi, I noticed you're in MD--I have a small flock in Montgomery County just over the DC line, and am looking for 2-3 good layers. Would you be willing to re-home that few, or are you looking to move all 14 as a block? We have a couple hy-lines, but I'd love to know more about the others. I'm particularly interested in any blue or green egg layers, if you have them (legbars, ameraucanas, etc.), but if not that's fine. Thanks so much!
 
heathenduchess said:
Hi, I noticed you're in MD--I have a small flock in Montgomery County just over the DC line, and am looking for 2-3 good layers. Would you be willing to re-home that few, or are you looking to move all 14 as a block? We have a couple hy-lines, but I'd love to know more about the others. I'm particularly interested in any blue or green egg layers, if you have them (legbars, ameraucanas, etc.), but if not that's fine. Thanks so much!
Click to expand...
thanks so much for responding to my post. I’ve been in touch with someone who wants them all. He’s supposed to take them tomorrow. If that doesn’t go as planned, I’ll let you know. I’ll let you know either way actually. Thanks, again.
 
Mkdietrich said:
thanks so much for responding to my post. I’ve been in touch with someone who wants them all. He’s supposed to take them tomorrow. If that doesn’t go as planned, I’ll let you know. I’ll let you know either way actually. Thanks, again.
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So glad to hear they might all have a home together! Let me know, but I hope it works out!
 
springvalley123 said:
I had to do something similar a couple of years ago. Life happens, and just know that you're doing your best for your birds.

You could post an ad to rehome them (craigslist), but the ad would be clear that it's a placement vs a sale. You talk (via phone) and you drive to the place to look at the premises as if you were placing a rescue dog. Then you exchange the birds if you like what you see and hear. I've seen this be successful without money because you're putting the buyer/adopter through a decent amount of red tape, but I'd think you could still charge. Also, you could think about splitting the flock into two groups of about 6-8, as that's a good number for people who have done their homework and are serious about getting started with chickens.

I also agree with the approach of posting on your state's thread on BYC. It might be a bit harder if you have to split them up into many groups, having to go out to the pen and reduce the flock several times until they're all placed, but it might work out well as you can see their postings and have an idea what type of chicken owner they are, just if you quiz them a bit to make sure their postings are really sincere.
Click to expand...
 

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