What to do with the chickens after the 3 years of egg laying

[MareeZoCool]

Quote:
This is an excellent idea! Every community could use this type of co-op!

 

[JackieinYorktown]

The reality is that one thing or another may well get them before it beomes an issue, especially if they free range. My hen house is predator proof, but we made the decision to give our flock quality of life. And they have their place in the food chain.
Don't get me wrong. We have a good dog that keeps many varmits away, but that hawk may just swoop down. And mammals have their own babies to feed.

 

[rcentner]

They will still be fun to watch. I have a hen now that hasn't laid an egg in about 1 month, she is balding and everything. Every day she goes in the nest box to sit, with no results. She likes to sit on the eggs that others have laid. If it is a breed that goes broody, you may be able to use an old hen as a surrogate broody. My old hen sat on one egg for days until I took it from her, I will use her for a broody next year. That way I won't be out any eggs, but still get chicks. It sounds like you will someday have an old flock to enjoy unless you free range and allow predation to happen.