Poll: Statistics on the fate of "spent" layers

[abserbean]

I grew up in a small farming community, and would totally cull and process a spent bird in that environment. However, I now have a small urban flock where all of the hens have names, and my kids play with them daily. They are definitely our pets and won't be eaten. My daughter says even if they die, we have to bury them and have a funeral! For a chicken! It's a little silly to me, but my kids are super attached, and my husband is a "city boy", so no chicken and dumplings for us. I think it's good to think about this before getting hens, in case you are in a situation where this happens. We have a rescue hen that has only laid one egg in almost five months ,she is only 1 1/2 yrs old, but she is neurotic, scared of other chickens, and a horrible layer. We have even had to set up a separate coop for her and hen we bought to be her friend b/c we couldn't integrate her. And even she gets a pass! Oh, well, at least she's cute!

 

[Alaskan]

Alaskan, did you ever get your rose combed leghorns? and if so, how have they performed in your mixed flock?

Deborahca: In response to your question: All 5 of my chickens are pets. I thoroughly enjoy them, they all have names, and distinct personalities. However, when they cross the threshold of not being productive, or if their behavior or any other issues make them not functional in my flock, they become dinner. Once a chicken's head is off, at least for me, I am thankful for a home raised meal free from all the concerns that come from eating the cellophane packaged products. I also consider, again, this is just me talking, that as a chicken owner, it's good stewardship to utilize all of the products they produce: eggs and meat, as well as reap the benefits of their tilling abilities and bug and weed control.

They are part of my spring chick order.

I am having second thoughts though......wondering if instead of deciding to buy very old breeds, I should have focused only on tiny combs AND tiny wattles.

dunno, I will probably just stress about it, but not actually change my order. That is just me, I love to over analyze and think through all of the negative, so that I know what I am getting into.

And, after having the super power laying ability of white leghorns, I just am going to have to try the rose comb ones.

 

[LilRedRoo]

We have 2 "pet" chickens and 2 "pet" goats that will never be butchered, but other than that the animal is either sold or harvested when the time comes. They live a pampered life and reward us with eggs/milk for spoiling them rotten, and then eventually they provide us a final meal or a paycheck...and we are very, very thankful for it.

 

[ChickenCurt]

I love all my critters and unplanned deaths tend sadden, i.e. when my prize rooster died but that being said; stew the old gals & BBQ the young roosters.