Looking For Free Hens

[greenSearcher]

I wonder why you want free hens? One assumes you want eggs, and it would be a shock

to a generous soul giving you hens should they discover you want snake food rather than eggs. I know that when I retire my hens, they will not be still be reasonably productive, so I won't sell them live. If the buyer wants them for pet food, I will butcher them before they leave the property, not that I like that task, buy the idea of one of my hens that I feed, petted and doctored being tossed to some large dog alive horrifies me, so I take the steps to prevent my girls from that terror.

I agree with the approach to ask when you want something, the answer might be yes. This flock owner I is inclined to say no, unless you were my neighbor and I knew you.

 

[Momnpop2010]

i'm trying to replace my flock. i'm not using them for "snake food" as you put it

 

[marymac]

Keep checking craigslist for your area. People give away whole flocks sometime. They get tired of chicken keeping or different reasons. My nephew just gave away 16 hens and 1 roo, just didn't want them any more. I see it quite a lot actually. No harm in asking, good luck to ya.

 

[luvanimals2]

I would check craigslist and maybe the Humane Society? Can you put an ad on the bulletin board at the feed store? Just some ideas of what I would do if I were looking. Sometimes people get caught and have flocks where they are not suppose to so I have heard of them unloading so good luck to you.

Nancy

 

[vatterpa]

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/grd/2005783242.html

hens in zelianople (pittsburgh)

7 months and free

 

[nuttyredhead]

Quote:
why would anyone give away there free laying hen when they raise them from babies the cost of housing and the feed and they want eggs to eat. you need to get own baby chicks and in 6 months u will get eggs. a hen that lays eggs will cost would cost about $25.00 per hen

I think there could be lots of reasons to give away hens. I have 10 hens right now, 3 - 4 of them are not nice to my Bantams, to the point i cannot integrate. Have i given thought to selling or even giving them away, Oh Yes!!!! Maybe the poster doesnt want to wait for eggs or doesnt have the option to house chicks and it is easier to get hens.

Not looking to stir things just thinking there could be reasons for people to give them away. You wont know unless you ask right!!!

Good Luck momnpop2010!

 

[Tdub4chiks]

During these hard times, there are a lot of people that have to move/relocate that can not take their pets with them. There are some people that probably can't afford to feed their pets anymore. This is happening all over the country. I'm sure you will find some eventually...Good Luck too you!

 

[churchx3]

Reasons to give them away free or sell them cheap: I bought 9 EE's as chicks, raised them for 5+ months waiting for that special day when I got my first blue/green eggs and I was awarded with WHITE eggs... the hatchery (MPC) shipped the wrong order and I ended up with something other then EE's...this is my first year in chickens so I had no clue until I started getting white eggs. I did not literally give mine away, I sold them for $2. each selling as a group. I got numerous calls, talked with each of the people about their current flock, sort of just let them tell me what they had, how they lived, what they did or did not do, and then decided which one I felt the most comfortable with. Again, I did not literally give mine away but I sure lost money on the purchase, raising them, housing them, etc. For me it was more the total disappointment of the white eggs.

 

[ranchhand]

My advice? Be wary and careful about free hens. Check VERY carefully for disease and parasites. Do not get 3 from one place and 4 from another unless you are prepared for a long quarantine.


Also, and the biggie - have you taken care of your fox predation issue? No point getting more until you predator proof.

 

[Momnpop2010]

i'd be willing to pay a reasonable price if need be