What will you do when they are too old to lay?

[pgpoultry]

I don't have a problem , they have a home until they die. (Vegetarian in any case). My husband culls sick ones if absolutely necessary, but this happens VERY infrequently.

They provided us with eggs (and pleasure) throughout their 'working' lives, so I am just repaying them in their retirement. As I have mainly Brahmas they lay for YEARS anyway!

 

[Mrs MIA]

Mine don't really ever get that old. I rotate out my girls each year... sell them as mature laying hens at ~ 1.5 years when they're at their peak. Gotta make room for the new girls!

Except for the few that are favorites... they have a home for life.

 

[Judy]

Well, I won't give them away or sell them, unless it is to a friend, which I've done. Probably some will get to retire and some will be processed and eaten, by us or the dogs. I have broodies hatching eggs so there will be roos to process for sure; we've processed several already. But I might let a few of the hens hang around because they are friendly (none have names; the one I named, of this flock, was killed by a predator.) Maybe the geriatrics will teach the newbies some manners. Might have to make this choice next year; some of my hens weren't all that productive in their prime and they are passing that stage now. Will decide on an individual basis. The meat may be a bit tough but the broth is like nothing you've ever tasted. Maybe one day I will try coq au vin, which calls for a 2 year old rooster.

I do hope my good layers keep laying at least some eggs for a few more years.

 

[cluckcluck42]

I have one favourite that is going nowhere. I may end up with other favourites that will stay here until the end of their days. But for the most part, hens I do not need anymore will be given away.

 

[NonnasBabies]

If and when the time comes and I can actually figure out which one stopped laying then I will cull them. I will do it quick and humanely and I know they lived a happy chicken life. I didn't get chickens for pets. They are part of the farm, have a job and that's egg production. When I have extra roos they go in the freezer.

 

[abhaya]

They will go to freezer camp. On a farm you just cant keep animals that do not help in some way.

 

[gavinandallison]

My feather babies will live out all their days in my yard being spoiled rotten - I can honestly say , if my Ladies did not give me a single egg I would still adore having them , they are so much fun. I love having kids come visit my coop and I tell them all about chickens and how and why they do what they do , the chickens love to be held and given treat , it is like a little mini petting zoo. I hope to spark interest in having hens , and if you give kids just a little spark , who knows 20 years from now we will be back to where we were 50 years ago when 80 percent of Americans had chickens .

Okay I am a pet lover , and some may say " HOG WASH " ( btw , if I ever do get a baby pigglet it will not become bacon ) .. but once I give it a name and I have held it - it is family for life.

 

[chicmom]

Well Carrie,

When I first got chickens, I started with just three pullets and a small A-frame coop. Back then, Lily, Daisy, and Violet were going to be my forever pets. Little Violet was taken by a hawk. And I replaced her with four chicks, then I wanted this breed and that breed. Now I'm up to 28 chickens. I bought an 8x12 barn from craigslist, so I can house everyone comfortably.

Things are different now. I definitely have my favorites that are pets. I've got some Cream Brabanters, which I consider to be strictly ornamental. Eye candy, really, and I could care less if they lay eggs, and they're too small for meat. They're pets and they know it!

Also, I still have Lily and Daisy, my very first chickens ever, and they have a retirement pass. Well, Daisy does, because she is such a lover, and Lily is truly a "b...ch", but she gets a pass because she's Daisy's friend.

As far as the rest go, every fall, I give away or sell at least five hens, so that I can make room for new layers.

 

[austradork]

Quote:
My thoughts exactly. Even if they stop laying, they still contribute love and laughs. However, I always TRY to have layers in my flock, adding new young chickens only every so often and only a few at a time, as opposed to starting with many of the same age and ending up with a bunch of "retirees" at the same time.

 

[welasharon]

I am thinking mine will just be here as pets. I fed a cat and a dog for 22 1/2 years each and never got an egg from either one so I guess the chickens will be cheaper! They aren't laying at all now anyway...
sharon