Tips for rehoming birds

[TwoShepherds]

So, in a couple months, I'm planning to re-home 5-6 of my one-year old hens to make room for the new pullets (currently have the coop split in half). I guess, technically I would have room in the coop for all, but it would be at the max (with 4 square feet per chicken), and I don't really need 21 in my flock. Just wondering if anyone has any tips to help the re-homing process go smoothly for the chickens. Assuming that anyone is interested in buying one-year-olds, should I require that the chickens go in groups of at least 2 so that it is easier for them to be integrated into a new flock? Also, I'm a little worried about bio-security with inviting other chicken-keepers to the property. Should I set up a temporary cage/viewing area away from the main coop?--or is that too paranoid. I'm really fond of the whole flock and hate to give any up, but I want to have some mixed ages in the flock. Thanks for reading and sharing experiences!

 

[MarkJr]

I personally would buy year old hens vs pullets. They’re easier to get laying and already know how to be a chicken.

Pairs wouldn’t be a bad idea. Gives them a battle buddy if needed.

 

[Pghelp]

Yes, pairs or small group is best. Don't be shy or hesitant about biosecurity. Maybe take pix or videos and talk to people to weed out the looky-loos. Don't let them handle the birds and definitely a viewing cage away from the flock. It would be great if you could find one person who wants chickens and is willing to take the whole group. That's how I got started was with a rehomed group of four and now I'm officially a chicken-lady!

 

[aart]

Maybe take pix or videos and talk to people to weed out the looky-loos. Don't let them handle the birds and definitely a viewing cage away from the flock.

Ditto Dat^^^
I get the buyer vetted(make sure they are serious, set price and time for pickup)
then put birds in crates at night in my garage then have buyer come as early as possible in morning.

 

[Acre4Me]

You could also sell at a livestock auction. We do this to not have the hassle of meeting up with people. Yes, they charge a commission, but the convenience factor is there. We have a few within reasonable driving distance, and just googled to find them. Other people look for swaps in the area.

Laying hens sell well.

 

[TwoShepherds]

Thanks everyone! I'm quite fond of them, having a hard time picking which ones to let go. I like them all for different reasons.

 

[Da Hof]

I personally would buy year old hens vs pullets. They’re easier to get laying and already know how to be a chicken.

Pairs wouldn’t be a bad idea. Gives them a battle buddy if needed.

I tried that route and got hens that were much older than advertised. I'm now getting rid of them and replacing them with pullets. I've had good luck though in the past buying year old hens. So, I guess it's hit and miss. At least with the pullets you know exactly what you're working with.

 

[TwoShepherds]

I tried that route and got hens that were much older than advertised. I'm now getting rid of them and replacing them with pullets. I've had good luck though in the past buying year old hens. So, I guess it's hit and miss. At least with the pullets you know exactly what you're working with.

That sucks. :-/ A lot depends on the honesty of the seller, I guess. It's kind of hard to determine that just from an online advertisement though. I hope you have better luck with your new pullets. My current flock turned a year old May 12. They were actually hatched and shipped on my birthday--so it's easy to remember. They were my present to myself. I bought them online, so I actually still have the receipt.