Keeping Older Hens

[HeatherlovesherBirds]

I never kill my hens due to lack of laying or age, but I love my birds and think their egg production is not as important to me as the company of my girls. Mine live their life out... I have added birds. I have 5 year old hens... They do have feelings and personalities each are different. If I was you I would just sell them if you don't want them because they are old.

 

[moniquem]

I've only had chickens for a year. I intend for them to stay with me wether they give me eggs or not. They do a lot of other things in the yard like providing me with compost and turning up my garden beds, which is hard work!

 

[Lady J]

I am happy to see so many on this thread choosing to let their birds live out their natural lives. I plan to do the same. They are my pets, not just egg producers. Eggs are a bonus. I just find them very entertaining and comical to watch every day.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

My chickens are pets! I would never cull a healthy bird! They are not even near old age yet so I don't have tow worry. They are only 5 weeks old.

 

[chick rookie]

I've only had chickens for a year. I intend for them to stay with me wether they give me eggs or not. They do a lot of other things in the yard like providing me with compost and turning up my garden beds, which is hard work!

And they help keep the Insects down too.

 

[Ebony Rose]

I wouldn't say that I 'cull' my birds, but rather... I decide which one I'll eat next, based on a number of factors that includes overall health, egg laying, and ATTITUDE. Bullies go on my short list for freezer camp. Sorry to say it, but I love some of my hens more than others, and those that I love more typically live longer **rolls eyes**. I treat all of them as pets until the bitter end, and I don't withhold food or treats on their last day either.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I just got left a message from a chicken friend she may be moving, so I may be getting my birds back... well some of them... They are more than welcome, and what goes around comes around.

 

[rosemarythyme]

My plan is to keep my birds through their natural lifespan, though that also means managing flock size because while I have room for more birds, I don't want to have to build an even bigger coop, and I don't want to get flooded with eggs for a couple of years and then not have enough after that. So my plan is to slowly grow my flock, adding chicks only when production is starting to dip.

I'm almost looking forward to my hens declining production... we're currently flooded with eggs! At this rate we probably won't get new chicks for another 2, maybe 3 years or so.

 

[italktomychickens]

I have two hens left. Most were lost to predators, but now I have one that is acting sickly. I don't think I want to start over as we now have the smallest yard we've had to date with the home we just bought. I called a vet to see what it would cost to have her put down and they told me they only do cats and dogs. (Hmmm... a 3 pound chicken shouldn't be that hard to figure a dosage, but, who am I to question...). She can't stand and she isn't eating...hasn't for three days now. I keep her near the water, but I hate to think she's suffering. I think when she goes, I will give the other one to a friend. I can't bear the thought of her being by herself But for the last year they haven't been laying anymore, they have become my pets and they bring me joy! As long as she hangs on, they will stay with me!

 

[TXchickmum]

Our ladies are 8. We have five sweet hens. -have been getting about three eggs per day for the past month. -a few days ago, we got five! They still are very healthy and lay well. I am a little surprised. They ceased laying about mid/late August, and then returned around the end of February. They recently worked our garden soil, consumed the grubs and remaining fall/winter greens, and now we're ready to plant our summer garden! (They may be old, but they are still very beneficial and valuable! We love the ol' gals!)