I did have them b4 but the dogs wouldn't let them be. So ended up giving them away. I live on .33 of an acre out of city limits. So it's hard to have anything with my dogs. I was actually thinking about quail I have a rabbitry set up in my garage and thought quail might do well being they are tiny and all.
Quail would work well for you. They are pretty easy to do, I've kept them several times. They are fun and comical to watch. Eggs are awesome!
Each year we keep a few spring chicks & sell a few pullets/ or 1-2 yr old hens in fall. I feel people won't buy a hen over 2, so I try to sell them while they still have egg or breeder value. We generally eat or give away the male chicks. If a hen is still here at age 3, there's a reason, she's a pet, and she'll be staying long term. I'll cull a hen if there's an issue affecting laying - like an old hen with shell-less eggs. That's gotta hurt, so if calcium supplements don't work, I feel it's for the best to let her go. Also if a hen gets an injury that I think will be too difficult to treat effectively or cause long term harm, I'll cull her. ..... And, yes, it's very hard to make those decisions. However, once it's done, there is also some relief. (!. less birds to feed & clean, so less work, 2. knowing your hen is no longer in pain, and 3. a little pride in being able to make a meal from your own backyard.) Even if #3 doesn't apply, 1-2 can be comforting.
In this area, there's a big market for females.... but it's impossible to sell males. Plus a big, beautiful hen looks stunning & is already laying. (not to mention tame) They tend to go to homes with small backyard flocks. I sell on CL but most customers are people who bought from me in the past & want more. Since I know the hen will be spoiled, I don't feel bad selling.
Agreed big beautifil hens sure attract attention.
It staggers for us. Up til now everyone is different ages so a hen loss happens but they lived out our life with us. This year I've replaced a lot of birds. Going forward I will likely do the same, cull and replace as needed. My old birds, Beefy's flock will live out their lives.@jchny2000
I'm so glad you're enjoying the portable fencing! I wouldn't have goats without it on the kind of property I'm on and yours too. So easy to move and so convenient!
Question for you and all -
With your layers, do you plan to rotate them out (chicken soup) every couple of years as new chicks mature? I've never done that, but considering going to that kind of system and just wondering how others approach that. My layers are long-lived, and when they're around so long they become friends.... But having 16 friends that are 8 years old is something I need to re-think and make a plan while they're still young.
Agreed, well said!
It's a hard choice and not for everyone. My primary reason for chickens is feeding my family so usually extra roosters go. Eggs of course. I have a large number of new hens this year so we'll see what the future brings.
