Not sure if I should, what would you do?

I think your heart is in the right place. I think you need to carefully work out the logistics. How many eggs would his "one" hen lay? How would you know? Will he contribute to feed? It seems as if it has the potential to get blurry, especially if he has memory loss.

Maybe he should build a "chicken tractor" to keep at your home with his own bird and he can supply their food and you could scoop some in for his daily, that way it is clear whose it whose and what is what.

I dont mean to be a pessimist, it just always seems that these things have the potential to go bad and hurt peoples feelings.

 

I think I probably would. If he has his own chicken, which could hopefully lay at least a few eggs each week, then he would have his own eggs and not have to 'bum' your eggs. Would he give you any money towards her food and upkeep?

I work at a Psych hospital, and I know the damage that drugs can do. I hope he can keep it together.

 

I would be strong and not open the door to a potential problem. Giving him eggs once in awhile when you have "extra" is the safest thing when YOU want to.

You can say nicely that you really don't want to change the way you are doing things, and you might have eggs to give him once in awhile.

 

I have mixed feelings, but if he is a friend, you should give him eggs or sell him eggs, at least a dollar a doz. I would not let him "own" one of your chickens for many reasons. How would you know if SHE laid that day? What if she molts, dies, goes broody? And, if your buying her feed, she is really YOUR chicken. Feed costs more than the chick or hen. Those are my thoughts. No hen for him, but sell him eggs or give him eggs. I'd get my own or hatch some chicks so you have plenty. I always give any dirty or small or odd eggs to a family that needs them and their old grand pap eats them everyday and I think that keeps him alive, as he has no teeth. He won't eat eggs from the store anymore and it makes me feel real good to help them out. It'll be chick season soon, you can add some egg-laying pullets very soon.

May you find your hens laying each and every day now, HenZ

 

My DH & I have a long lost friend

I think the answer's in that sentence. Friends help each other.​

 

There are some decisions that a person must make on their own...and be comfortable with.

Advice cannot help make this decision OR abrogate any feelings associated with the decision.

It is one that YOU (who is closest to the matter) MUST make "on your own".

Good Luck !!!

-Junkmanme-

 

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that if you want to get another hen anyway, I would go with it. I have a nephew that says that one of the chickens is "his" when he comes over.

If the chicken lives with you, you care for it it is yours technically. But if you give him the eggs from that one chicken (or one chicken's worth anyway) and let him call it his, no harm no fowl.

It makes my nephew happy.....
But I would have some kind of agreement from the get go like he can't come take it away without having adequate shelter and all ready. And an egg agreement so everyone knows what to expect.

Just my opinion.

 

I just went through some crazy stuff trying to help a "friend." It turned out not to be a very good friendship. I was being taken advantage of, and I suspect the same will happen to you. It was the end of a 13-yr. friendship and frankly I feel free and happier for the first time in a long time.

I think someone's suggestion to encourage or help him build a chicken tractor to keep 1-3 hens on his own property would be the better suggestion. You can help him by teaching him how to care for them. End it there, or you'll be paying for the food. You can, afterall, make chicken tractors out of lots of stuff and keep it cheap or even free if necessary.

Connie

 

I'd go with the idea of helping my friend with giving/donating/selling eggs and not the keeping a hen with the anticipation of any egg production. Just my thoughts, anything else seems like it could get messy.