Thinking about asking neighbor for her broody hen...

[chickboss]

Hope this is the right place to post this. One of my neighbors has a hen that sounds very broody. She is, however, totally frustrating the owner with this behavior. They were thinking of butchering her out with the older non-layers they are going to process this year because she will not lay and will just continuously gaurds this or that nest. She is a Buff-Orph. They have those and N. Hampshires. They would like more of the N.H.s but do not have a broody so I suggested they put the N.H.'s eggs under her and provide her with some privacy and see what happens. Didn't seem too thrilled with this idea, but I haven't checked back yet. So, I was thinking about offering to buy her because I would love a broody. I am wondering if she would keep this trait, if the neighbors were interested in letting her go, after switching to a whole new enviroment? Or if the stress would snap her out of it maybe permently. What should I offer for her? I'm not sure of her age. Wouldn't want to pay a ton for a maybe. Thanks for any advice.

 

[fishfarmer]

I don't know if the chicken will keep this trait, but moving can prove to be stressful. If you know this neighbor and view them as a friendly neighbor (which I assume is friendly because you talked to them and offered them some advice before), then asking to buy that hen shouldn't be a problem. They are going to butcher it for meat anyways, so you should offer meat price for it, depending how much a butchered chicken in your area cost. Mine can range from $5 to $8 for farm fresh butchered chickens.

ETA: these prices are for large chicken farms, not for someone who raises a few chickens. If their flock is small and are not commercial chicken farmers, then I would assume that prices might be higher. Do have any chickens you can offer as a trade?

 

[chickboss]

I was thinking in the $5 to $8 range to, because that's what local laying hens are advertised for around here. Not sure what local meat prices are, and I'm pretty sure they aren't selling meat birds, just doing some of the older hens for personal use. Maybe offer $10 since it's my idea. I don't have any hens that she would be interested in. I'm pretty sure she wants to stick with the N.Hamps. Though, I could seperate with one of my Australorps if it were raised as a possibility. Maybe finish raising it to layer age. We got an extra from the hatchery and they are all doing well.