Old Hens

[Folly's place]

That's why there are choices to be made, and no one 'right' answer.
Mary

 

[Mrs. K]

It does not have to be an all or nothing. Keep a couple favorites, and process the rest.

 

[Folly's place]

Yes.

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

Hi everyone,

I have a flock of 7 bantam hens and some of them are approaching 4 years old. The old ones are laying less that 3 eggs a week. I want to replace them with full size hens. What should I do with the old ones?

If I were you, I would keep them in a different spot. Maybe make a coop and put them in a little retirement coop. Those girls have worked hard and you should reward them by letting them retire and relax. They can have their run and you can move the new hens into the other coop. This is just my advice though.

 

[Criticalicious]

As suggested above, it depends on what you have the chickens for. If primarily for food (whether meat or eggs) then process them. If for enjoyment or as pets with benefits, keep them around to help educate your new flock members. Chickens are social animals and they appreciate stability. The new members will learn manners from the senior ones if you give them the opportunity.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

They are your birds so it is your decision. I think most people have a plan of how to handle it when production slows. I always planned on eating the hens after production ceases. However, I haven't had a hen live long enough to quit laying. I have 4 flocks of layers. One is the older hens around 4-6 years of age and they still lay very well. A couple lay huge eggs. I got a 99 gram (3.5 oz.) egg this week and several in the 70-90 gram range. 70.9 is a jumbo.
I do eat all cull cockerels and older roosters.
If you give them away, you don't have any control of what happens to them. They may be eaten or they may not be cared for as well as you have.