Thinning flock

[cowboy bob]

Hi haven’t posted in a while What do most do with spent hens? Thought about butchering but herd it can be a wast of time because of the age. Can’t keep them it would stop me from getting fresh hens. I live in town and can only keep 6.

 

[Brooks_]

Stew.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Craigslist! That's what I always do!
If you want some help on posting there, here's a great article to help you : https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-post-on-craigslist.76257/

 

[Winter Creek Coop]

How spent are they? If they are still laying 2-3 eggs a week thats plenty for a lot of folks. Truthfully if I am fond of them, then they are able to live out their time here. I have one old gal that lays one big double yolker per week. We free range so she doesn't eat much. I like to look at her in the yard. But then again I don’t have any number restrictions.

 

[bobbi-j]

Process and pressure can. Or, if you have an Instant Pot or other type of pressure cooker, freeze them and pressure cook. They get nice and tender and the meat is so flavorful! Shred it and use it for tacos, enchiladas, stew, soup, chicken salad... the possibilities are endless!

 

[sourland]

Soup, stew, chicken and dumplings - anything slow cooked for a period of time.

 

[3KillerBs]

A retired laying hen makes the best chicken and dumplings ever.

You must let the meat rest until rigor has passed and then simmer low and slow or it will be tough.

 

[Ridgerunner]

What do most do with spent hens? Thought about butchering but herd it can be a wast of time because of the age.

Some sell them, maybe Craigslist or take them to an auction or chicken swap. Maybe talk to the people at the feed store, some have bulletin boards where you can post notices or offers. You might check if a zoo or wildlife rescue will take them as food for their animals.

I eat mine. If you don't know how to process them and cook them then they can be pretty inedible. But people have been making great meals from them forever. Hunters don't know how old a wild pheasant, goose, or duck is when they shoot it, yet they cook them. You just have to know how to handle and cook them.

You need to let rigor mortis pass. Very important. Others have mentioned some ways you can cook them. I'll add that you can make incredible chicken broth from them and also have cooked meat to use as Bobbi mentioned.

Can’t keep them it would stop me from getting fresh hens. I live in town and can only keep 6.

I understand that. Is it legal to butcher in your town? I've seen places where it was not. And how do you plan to get rid of the unused stuff? I've seen trash pick-up that said they would not take the remains after you butcher. But it was OK to clean fish you catch and dump those remains. Go figure. You need to plan that end of it so you stay out of trouble. Just knowing what the rules are can help.