Random Chicken Drop Off

[Chickassan]

Or almost free rodent and bug control.

Well sometimes you can find a home for them where someone just wants them as a pet.

 

[chicken4prez]

That's very frustrating! I can't believe that people just don't think with that kind of thing. I've never had that problem but I can for sure understand how annoying that could be. It's easier for them cause they don't need to look after a rooster but harder for you. Some people!

 

[aart]

What is culling a hen?
Culling hens refers to the identification and removal of the non-laying or low producing hens from a laying flock. Unless the birds are diseased, they are suitable for marketing or home cooking.
Sounds like killing to me...you cant eat a live bird.

What happens to a bird culled from the flock depends on why they are culled from the flock. If a bird is diseased, they are not eaten or sold. If they are non/low producing, they get eaten. Yep, it often means killing, but not always.
No, I do not eat live birds

Well sometimes you can find a home for them where someone just wants them as a pet.

Exactly!
I have culled hens from my flock and sold them as pets or layers. They didn't fit into my flock management plans anymore due to crowding and/or wanting other breeds and/or fresher layers.

 

[mountainbunny]

Yes. All manner of animals, including turtles and pet rats in an aquarium. I love rats (conversation for a different time) but there is a reason they are used in medical research (HINT: not because they are hardy against diseases). I resolved the worst parts of this problem by leaving travel crates and off the ground wire cages between the beginning of my property line and where my animals are housed. Now, people leave animals in one or more carrier/cage and I am able to decide WTH to do with them before disease spreads. I will note that it also has resulted in neighbors asking if they can borrow a crate to take a stray puppy/ injured rabbit / feral cat to the vet/rehab/animal control rather than it becoming my problem. They havent stolen the crates (just my address sign...which doesnt even have their address...) and much of the issue has been resolved. It's more like we are a team handling a minor portion of animal welfare rather than me becoming a sort of statue of liberty for every limping opossum people can lock in my fence.

I just happened upon this thread when searching pet rats. I prefer BYC to any other forms and have been posting about my pet rat Earl here ever since I got him ...I didnt want to leave BYC even after I quit keeping chickens. People here are so friendly so I prefer to stay here than look for rat forums. Anyway, if you ever want to talk rats I have posts up and love to share stories and pics with other rat owners.

 

[Searsmom]

You don't have to leave!! I mostly hang out in the gardening thread. Chickens eh, occasionally something noteworthy happens with them, but all my chicken is talked out.

 

[mountainbunny]

I'm not leaving! I love this forum too much. It helped me through my 3 year chicken keeping adventures. When I got my furry little friend Earl, I stated posting pictures and stories of him here and people loved it. I HATE social media and don't participate in it, but I enjoy the forums on BYC so I'm staying.

 

[Searsmom]

 

[mountainbunny]

Oh and here is Earl the rat.

 

[Searsmom]

That's one big rat! I didn't think domestic ones got that big!

 

[mountainbunny]

Yep he's a big guy! I got him when he was about 4 weeks old and he tripled in size in about 4 months. He's about 7 months old now. I haven't measured or weighed him, but I'm guessing him to be about 8 inches long (not including tail) and around 6 to 8 ounces!