What to do with chickens when they stop laying?

[Farmer Mike S]

I have a small flock of 5 chickens that are just over a year old. I figure this season is probably their "prime" and I should get another one out of them next year that may be a bit declined. After that though, they're probably done. I don't know what to do with them though, because I would be paying money to keep birds that are giving me nothing in return. I would also need the coop space for new chickens, because free range eggs are the best. When you have only five chickens, you become a bit attached too and I don't think I can get around to kill them. What I was thinking of doing is letting them free range full time; they would eat most their food from the wild and benefit the property by eating nasty bugs. I only free range them now when I'm outside, so if I let them outside full time, they will probably eventually all end up eaten, and hopefully I won't have to see it happen.

Anyways, what do you do?

 

[AmericanMom]

I have a small flock of 5 chickens that are just over a year old. I figure this season is probably their "prime" and I should get another one out of them next year that may be a bit declined. After that though, they're probably done. I don't know what to do with them though, because I would be paying money to keep birds that are giving me nothing in return. I would also need the coop space for new chickens, because free range eggs are the best. When you have only five chickens, you become a bit attached too and I don't think I can get around to kill them. What I was thinking of doing is letting them free range full time; they would eat most their food from the wild and benefit the property by eating nasty bugs. I only free range them now when I'm outside, so if I let them outside full time, they will probably eventually all end up eaten, and hopefully I won't have to see it happen.

Anyways, what do you do?

When they slow down or stop production we send them to freezer camp... Yummy chicken and Noodles

We are raising our flock for both meat and egg production... Rule here unless the hen is a good broody they don't go past two years...

If doing it is unappealing to you then list them on CL and let someone else get good use out of your older hens.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

*I* am not too keen on butchery at this point (have done it in the past and am categorically opposed, just not something I wish to pursue now) - so ours will live out their days as part of the flock. I'm approaching it like I do our horses - the work they put in now earns them the peaceful "retirement" later.

 

[distincthead]

I used to let them just "retire". These days, I eat them - but I usually don't butcher them just because they slow down. I'm a sucker, I usually wait until they basically aren't laying any more. And I can't say that I haven't had a few special exemptions over the years who still got the retirement option.

If you are opposed to butchering and don't have the space for a flock of retired hens, you could always give them away to someone who will keep them and not eat them. That's the great thing I've discovered with the poultry-keeping community - there seems to always be an option for everyone.

 

[Farmer Mike S]

The only issue with butchering is that isn't old hen meat tough?

 

[donrae]

My hatchery birds have been productive well past 5 years of age----I've never had a bird just quit laying. Even my 7 year old birds were giving maybe 3 eggs a week. Just something to consider.

I just sold over a dozen 2 year old hens advertising on CL. I stated their age, and had confirmed they had all started laying after winter break. It took maybe 3 weeks to get rid of all I wanted to sell, and that was without re-posting the ad at all.

You can retire them as yard ornaments, just be prepared for hidden egg nests everywhere. You'll also want to think about where they're going to roost--seems they're always drawn to the porch, and chicken poop on the porch every morning isn't the best way to start the day. You'll also have to accept they'll likely draw in predators for your active laying flock and harden your coop/run and free range vigilance.

 

[bobbi-j]

It can be, but there are ways to prepare it. You can crockpot it, boil it, or roast it REALLY low and slow. It's not going to have the texture of a young tender fryer, but makes awesome soup, stew, enchiladas... Anything that requires shredded chicken. I pressure can mine and it's tender as can be.

 

[olderoo]

If you no longer wish to keep feeding them, don't linger or wring your hands when the time comes.
Dispatch them to freezer camp or rehome them.

If you don't mind feeding them and letting them hang around, do nothing and let them be taken by predators. The predators will, in fact, thank you for it and repay you by staying around to breed and rear their young in the vicinity.

Now, hens don't wake up one morning and decide this is the day to stop laying. They taper off.
The average hen has the capacity to create 10,000 eggs - they'll keep going for awhile
Since profitability is not a concern for you, i.e., feeding them for no financial return, you can be magnanimous.
Put it off til next year.

 

[Melabella]

It can be, but there are ways to prepare it. You can crockpot it, boil it, or roast it REALLY low and slow. It's not going to have the texture of a young tender fryer, but makes awesome soup, stew, enchiladas... Anything that requires shredded chicken. I pressure can mine and it's tender as can be.

bobbi-j,

What kind of rooster is that in your avatar. I thought it was a Columbian W until I saw it's tail. Is it a cross of something. He is neat looking!
MB

 

[Melabella]

"
If you don't mind feeding them and letting them hang around, do nothing and let them be taken by predators. The predators will, in fact, thank you for it and repay you by staying around to breed and rear their young in the vicinity."

olderoo beat me to it... DO NOT leave them free range and let nature take it's course. You will attract lots of predators who think it will be a great place to move to, and you'll shoot yourself in the foot for your future flock to be able to free range, even with you outside. When I moved to the area we now live in, we rented for a year first while we looked for a house. The neighbors next door had a huge flock of 40 chickens they would let free range every day. I used to watch out the window while I folded laundry and admire the flock and then Mr and Mrs Fox would come and take one or two.. EVERY DAY. Eventually wiped out most of their flock and those chickens are not in a run 24/7.


I pray those predators don't discover my dirty little secret of Chicken buffet most of the day here. . My LGD helps too. ALso, I am on my second laying cycle with my hatchery girls. Thought they wouldn't be as prolific, but so far. they are!
Good Luck,
MB