What do I do with 4 Barred Rocks who are done laying eggs?

[ChickenElla12]

We've had them for 4 years years and while they are still gorgeous chickens we've added new babies and don't have room for all. I've heard laying chickens don't have much meat for eating and I'm not interested in eating my pets yet by August I'll have a full coop with new Coco Marins. What do you do with these pretty birds?

 

[Rooshens]

build a retirement coop?

 

[ChickenWhisperer101]

Do you mean Cuckoo Marans? Is it possible to make space for the barred rocks? If not maybe build another coop for them. If neither of these are possible you could sell them as pets, yet then you take the risk of people lying to you and using them for something else. It’s ultimately up to you.

 

[Mrs. K]

Some people will take an older hen, get a few eggs, not the problems of raising up new chicks. I would put an add out, and be glad that you did something for someone else.

Once they are not your birds, not your responsibility. Don't ask questions, and don't worry about what others do. Just enjoy your new birds.

Mrs K

 

[theoldchick]

Build another coop or give them to somebody who does not mind that they are a bit older.

 

[McChooky]

Barred Rocks have sweet personalities. Give them to someone who doesn't mind getting fewer eggs .

 

[Star silkies]

We've had them for 4 years years and while they are still gorgeous chickens we've added new babies and don't have room for all. I've heard laying chickens don't have much meat for eating and I'm not interested in eating my pets yet by August I'll have a full coop with new Coco Marins. What do you do with these pretty birds?

Broody

 

[GC-Raptor]

I had 3 Barred Rocks left from my second Flock of 7.
Lost 2 to a predator while free ranging, one to prolapse and culled an egg eater.
So out of 3 only 2 were laying, one quit laying a year ago when a predator took one of her sisters.
So I got 8 replacement day old chicks.
I tried to give the 3 Barred Rocks away for 4 1/2 weeks, no takers.
So I culled them on a weekend before sunrise.
My replacements were in the coop 2 days later after cleaning and updating the coop.

I have two Flocks in 2 coops and try to replace the older flock around 4 years old, but because of losses to predators I had to replace them a year early. GC

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I know you said you don't want to eat them, and "you've heard"...

No, compared to a CornishX, layers are not feed efficient meat producing machines. There's still plenty of meat on those birds though. A couple pounds of protein each. Tough, inedible meat at those ages.

Cull. Remove the skin, no point in removing feathers, just shuck the whole bird. Remove the innards. Toss in the largest pot you've got with salt, peppercorns, garlic, onion, celery, carrot. Simmer for soup base/stock. At least a day, two is better. Strain, jar, store. Can do the same with a pressure cooker or a large crock pot. I just happen to have a 5 gallon brew pot which is great for cooking all the goodness out of a number of old birds at once.

GLORIOUS.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

You don't have room to keep them, I expect you will have no luck rehoming them at those ages, at least in the soup pot you get some final use of them without having to stare at them on a dinner table. But ultimately, your birds, your choice.

DO **NOT** simply take them to the woods somewhere and toss them out of your vehicle (I'm honestly surprised we've not seen that suggestion yet, it frequently makes appearance in threads of this sort). Its irresponsible, at best - a way foisting one's problems off on others and avoiding the consequences of one's choices. Nor is it good for the birds. I thank you in advance for not doing that.