What happens after my girls stop laying?

[speckledhen]

My girls get to stay their entire lives. Nobody gets the axe because they have stopped laying. Heck, a chicken gives you about as much affection as a dog (mine do anyway) plus eggs for years, and I wouldn't think of culling my dog because she didn't give me enough in some way. That's just my take on it, but others have a different viewpoint, I know. But then, many havent experienced a chicken tugging on your pants leg to be picked up and cuddled. If they did, it'd be pretty hard to put its head on a block.

 

[Lunachick]

I have red sex links that are known to be laying machines, They are 18 months old now and laid thru last winter (maybe just skipping a day or two here and there) and still going strong, but I think they start to sputter at about 3 or 4 years. But I think they will give you a gift now and then when they are in retirement.

If they have a happy home and are healthy, they probably would be good layers for a long while.

 

[Lunachick]

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That's what I meant to say, but Specks said it best,

 

[hoosier]

I told my husband before I ever got them that I knew I would not be able to eat them after they were past their prime egg laying period, and that I would have a retirement community. I have some that are 6 1/2 yrs old and still lay sometimes.

 

[chickenzoo]

I use mine more as poo patrol for the horses and other animals. They see that tail go up as a red flag or dinner bell,

, but I haven't really had to use the "apple picker" that often. Any horse person would love to have them, especially lazy horse people, Ha Ha. I use geese as weeders, and the ducks well....what do ducks do?
They help out with something I'm sure. I have potbellies to plow up the soil as the chickens break it down. I have Emu for guarding and they are just plain entertaining. I have peafowl to help eat the jumbo fire ants and chase snakes and they also add color to the yard, plus they chase the Emu which adds to the entertainment factor. Ha Ha, I have turkey to scratch up stuff and make me laugh. You can't help but smile when you watch a bunch of them run. Most of all they have a calming affect on me, lower my blood pressure and bring a smile to my face. That my friend is priceless!