What does a person do with old hens that are no longer laying?

[iadorethesea]

My hens are 4 years old and no longer laying. What do I do with them? Just keep them as pets? I can't butcher them.

 

[BlackBart]

Some people put up a Ad that says free chickens and don't ask the person, who takes them, what they are going to do with them.

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Quote:
Yes, otherwise you will be spending a lot of money feeding free loaders.

You say that you cannot butcher them. Does that also mean you will not eat stew if someone else did the deed for you?

 

[Brody's Broodello]

Take care of them like they took care of you!

 

[cassie]

Ours go in the crockpot. Look at it this way. If they were in the wild they would have been somebody's dinner before now.

 

[cobrien]

I let them retire in style to thank them for the yummy eggs. But I realize that not all can afford that. If they are destined for the stew pot then it would seem more humane to slaughter them yourself at home to avoid the stress on the chicken it might otherwise cause if a total stranger does it, or else maybe get a trusted person to do the deed for you. That is the great thing about raising our own eggs (or meat if you choose) - how much more humane it is.

 

[bigstack]

Dumplings, stew, ....etc!

They had a good life full of love. Now I will love them 1 more time!
Quick and painless! They deserve it!!!
God Bless!

 

[they'reHISchickens]

are 4 yr old hens really OK for stew? How do you get them tender?

 

[TriciaHowe]

Mine go into cushy hen retirement

My oldest hen is 8 - she's a gold comet named Flopsy. Would never think of butchering my lap chicken

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

they'reHISchickens :

are 4 yr old hens really OK for stew? How do you get them tender?

We put ours in the smoker/cooker for about 45 minutes, to set good flavor. They are rubbed with sage, paprika, Celtic Sea salt and pepper.
Then, they are placed in the crockpot overnight.
We then take off the major portions of meat for adding to different recipes.
The rest gets covered in water, and slow cooked on medium to high for another 24 hours, to allow the minerals and calcium to leach out of the bones.
THe last time I did this, I removed all the bones at the end, and then added some curry for more flavor.
I served it over rice once, and then with cheese and homemade corn tortilla's.​