That’s perfectly understandable and respectable!! And for the record, I actually would never kill my layer flock either. Mine are strictly for pets, eggs, and eye candy and especially this year I added some just for the looks/personality/pet factor so I totally get it!! I only have about 20 right now too and they are all named (except for the chicks though the older group is collectively known as The Punks so kinda named LOL) and have such personalities!! We’re all very attached. They have homes for life. However, the quail I knew some would have to go because unlike chickens the males will kill each other. And I now believe I could do meat chickens too. But a separate flock specifically with that purpose. Never any of my babies.Nope. Not even gonna try. I can put down a sick animal ... wouldn't be the first time. I don't know how many hamsters or injured birds I've "done in" over the years, but it's more than I care to count. The hardest was a pair of very small baby bunnies that Mama had started to snack on, but it was the only kind thing to do, so I made it happen.
I don't keep that many chickens - currently only about 20, including four chicks - so I know them all "personally." Nearly all of the chicks we hatch and raise go to 4H youngsters who want to help save the Nankin breed. The 50/50 hatching ratio generally keeps the extra males to a minimum. Those that do stay live happily and forever in my bachelor flock. It currently numbers eight, with three, maybe four, scheduled to go to other breeders as soon as travel resumes. I don't ship, so it's strictly pick up or meet-up for delivery and the new owners aren't comfortable traveling, yet. Hopefully they'll still want their fellows when this lets up a bit.
So, at least for the foreseeable future and unless I end up somewhere I can raise birds in a large enough quantity to not get so attached, my birds are all about eggs and eye candy ... and that's okay with me!
