Whats old hen who does not lay called?

[Wynette]

Quote:
Nope, I'm of this persuasion myself.

 

[bobbi-j]

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No, but not everyone keeps them for food/eggs/breeding/showing/profit. If someone regards them as pet/companion animal, then they live as such. People generally don't generally cull their parakeets or macaws when they stop laying, or their cats or dogs when they hit menopause. A different purpose simply yields a different end.

I'm with al6517. I don't have the room to keep non-layers. I have one coop, and no funds to build another so if I want eggs, I need to rotate my flock. That having been said, for those who choose to keep them as pets and have plenty of room and money to keep non-producing as well as producing birds - good for you! I have a hard time when either side starts condemning the other for their choices. To each his own...

 

[chicmom]

I have a four year old hen, Daisy, who just stopped laying about a month ago......She is one of my first hens ever, so I will just let her be the "Retired Princess"! I like that term.

She a golden buff hybrid from the Meyer Hatchery. Before she quit laying, she layed an extra large bown egg, faithfully nearly every day.

 

[frostbite]

Quote:
No, but not everyone keeps them for food/eggs/breeding/showing/profit. If someone regards them as pet/companion animal, then they live as such. People generally don't generally cull their parakeets or macaws when they stop laying, or their cats or dogs when they hit menopause. A different purpose simply yields a different end.

I'm with al6517. I don't have the room to keep non-layers. I have one coop, and no funds to build another so if I want eggs, I need to rotate my flock. That having been said, for those who choose to keep them as pets and have plenty of room and money to keep non-producing as well as producing birds - good for you! I have a hard time when either side starts condemning the other for their choices. To each his own...

Agreed here too, everyone's situation is unique, so their choices will be unique. I'm willing to take care of my own ranch, and let others take care of theirs. I think all of your choices are marvelous.

 

[kuntrychick]

My dogs & cats don't "produce" in return for their food, except love & companionship. Their food is more expensive than the chicken feed. So, I will continue to keep & provide feed for my pet chickens until the day they die...no matter if they're "spent" or not.

I totally understand though, for some of you it's a matter of production & you have so many & they're not your pets.

Approximately what age does a hen quit laying & are there any signs other than just stopping laying? I know it can vary by breed & all...but a ballpark?

And isn't old hens meat too stringy & tough? I know I've read or heard that before.

 

[Ole rooster]

Not at all. Boil the hen or rooster and the meat is just as tender as you could ask for. For me it was anyway.

 

[bobbi-j]

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Not if they're pressure-canned or slow-cooked. When we butcher our "spent" hens, I pressure can them. Canned chicken over rice is a favorite meal here. It also makes good soup or stew.

 

[kizanne]

My hens are pampered pets but were bought with their role in my search for a successful homestead in mind. They get names, treats, free range time, an expensive predator proof run and coop. However, when they stop laying at an acceptable rate they will be replaced with new fuzzy butts that will get new names. and I will enjoy them as dinner.

 

[gabbyscritters]

sweetie
old lady of the coop
retired
princess
friend
golden girl
blessing

This is the list my daughter goes by. She would never eat one of her girls, young or old. She just wanted to remember the term to add to her showmanship question notecard binder.
I had a feeling that asking this question would get attention, we really could not find the term "spent" online and she could not recall it.
Thanks everyone

 

[scottfarm]

some would call them dumplings .