Official BYC Poll: What Do You Do With Your Old/Retired Hens?

[Chickengirl2671]

I keep them as pets and pest control after 5 years but most don't live that long due to predators that catch me the one time I forget to close them up.

 

[Farmgirl805]

Mine just live out their best life. No culling, no prep for the pot, no selling or rehoming. Just spending their days wandering aimlessly around the retirement home waiting for treats.

 

[Bonwell]

I let them live as long as they are able to. I had 2 SLW's that lived until they were about 14. And I currently have an Ancona who's reached the double digits and seems to be going strong

 

[Farmgirl805]

I let them live as long as they are able to. I had 2 SLW's that lived until they were about 14. And I currently have an Ancona who's reached the double digits and seems to be going strong

Wow! My senior ladies are 8 yrs old. I thought that was old! 14? Wow. New goal for the old gals.
I have some 10 wk old pullets that we’ll be integrating as soon as they’re big enough. My old ladies are just like regular old ladies- they are stuck in their ways so hopefully it goes well. They don’t like change

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

10? 14?

Oops... My husband is looking at my 2yr 9 month old hens and saying he wants a pause between these and their replacements so we can travel a little without me saying I don't want to go because there is no one to watch the hens if I am away... He seems to be under the impression they are going to check-out when they hit 3yrs (like an alarm clock going off)

Please, no one tells him, ok? He will eventually see he's been hoodwinked, but by then it will be too late.

 

[FattySmough]

Mine haven't slowed down laying yet, but I will allow mine to live out their days until old age or something else takes them away. I have no problem with people culling birds they no longer need, but personally It would be hard for me to cull an animal I raised from a baby.

 

[texsuze]

My hens are pure pets and live out their lives until age, disease, predators (rarely) or euthanasia ends their lives. My oldest so far was Jolene, a BA, who was humanely sent to the Rainbow Bridge at age 9 when arthritis caught up with her.

Vashti, my 8 y.o. Dominique, was laying sporadically in spring this year until she began an extended molt! My 5 y.o. BA, Celeste, is laying about every other day right now.

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

Culling and disposing of their bodies?? I don't see how anyone could raise a bird for so long and then simply dispose of them.. their life is worth more than that surely.

 

[3KillerBs]

Culling and disposing of their bodies?? I don't see how anyone could raise a bird for so long and then simply dispose of them.. their life is worth more than that surely.

Some people can't bear to eat a chicken they knew personally and so they plant them under rosebushes, etc.

 

[HorseGirlAbby]

All mine are pets, and I can't imagine eating one. I raised them from chicks, or, in some cases, eggs. One hen will definitely have a permanent spot in the flock, as she goes broody like clockwork every single year. Usually multiple times.