What do you do with your adult birds

[homesteadlizzy]

It's good to read all of your replies. My husband and I are definitely pet people. We had 4 dogs and 3 cats for 14+ years on the dogs (mother with her puppies born under the bed) and cats - our last pet left is the first pet we ever had - his name is Lester, a Maine Coon Cat who is 18 now... I know we could never butcher because once my man gets to know an animal they are here for life. Boy, I wouldn't want to be a predator trying to bust up the family!!! LOL

 

[Mrs. K]

I think there is a difference between a chicken person, and a flock person. I love the flock, and take pretty good care of the flock, and have had one for years, however, the chickens that make up the flock have changed and will continue to do so.

Some people have had limited experience with death, are very uncomfortable with it, and tie up a lot of grief and guilt in it. They are not comfortable with butchering or culling.

Neither way is better, or more holy, or worse people. If you don't want to keep your girls, don't feel guilty, do what you need to do to make room for the young. If the thought of butchering terrorizes you, then have the pets.

Many make decisions for themselves about this, and wish all people here felt the same and should make the same decision.
That is not necessary.

MrsK

 

[lahowardjr]

No, we don't kill an old dog (unless it kills chickens!) But we do butcher our hens when they stop producing due to age. There is a difference in thought between urban and rural chicken farmers.

 

[cassie]

I've said it before. Pets are pets and food is food. I don't eat pets and I don't make pets out of food. I have had a few pet chickens over the years, but eventually all the non pets end up in the pot. If I didn't do that I couldn't afford to keep any chickens at all.

 

[coop-er]

Mrs K- I am with you! It is just a difference of opinion. Neither is more right or more wrong. My chicks are fun and If I get eggs-- well good for me! Meat birds?.. Well I can buy a chicken pretty cheap at the grocery store. I guess they are pets and... good for me! Pets are great companions and tons of fun. I suppose mine are " entertainment" chickens. But.... To each his own......love my girls, but don't want to go forever without eating chicken again. So cullers?... Thank you!

 

[lahowardjr]

I can see both points of pet vs food but I personally don't consider a chicken the same as a dog, cat or horse. I do enjoy my girls and they are very entertaining. I'm just in the "rural" camp.

 

[appps]

Mine are in the pet camp. Can't eat anyone I've met personally so will hopefully die of old age

This has got me thinking though. I'd planned to add three more hens to my flock of 6 month old. Thinking now maybe I should wait and get them when the egg production from my original trio starts to drop

 

[cary 1973]

Mine are in the pet camp. Can't eat anyone I've met personally so will hopefully die of old age

This has got me thinking though. I'd planned to add three more hens to my flock of 6 month old. Thinking now maybe I should wait and get them when the egg production from my original trio starts to drop

i was also going to get a few more birds this year but decided to wait as my girls turn 1 in April and by next spring I am sure eggs will go down so I will add new babies then. I to cant eat anything I have met let alone a few hour old chick that I have raised and watch change and grow and sit on my lap and let me love them no I could not eat them but I dont condem those who can I wish I could with all the junk they put in our food now days, but I personly cant at this time. now it the world came to an end and i was one who servied then we would be talking a whole other story.

 

[joeyfender]

I will always be attached to my first chicks and I will always consider those two pets. But chickens are made for eggs and meat. So are cows except for the eggs lol. So I will probably process the chickens that don't lay anymore or the roosters that are extra IF I can't sell them.

 

[lahowardjr]

Again, both camps are fine. Please don't put diapers on them though!