When is killing a healthy hen the right thing to do?

[Gargoyle]

Little Stinky is now in her new home in the lower Rockies.

I'm so happy it's worked out.

 

[henless]

Just read your other post. Such a sad pic of her sitting by the sliding door. I'm glad you found her a good home with plenty of company. I hope she does well there.

 

[BantyChooks]

Little Stinky is now in her new home in the lower Rockies. Thanks to everyone who replied and voiced their support, and a special thanks to Mr. Gargoyle for finding a new hen-mom to take care of her.

As you can see in the picture (she's being protected/quarantined for a few days), she is already being scoped out by the rooster because she's sexy like that.

Glad to hear she got a happy ending!

 

[Sequel]

I'm in Colorado...Denver area.

We have a local Poultry oriented Facebook page .
You might try googling around and see if there's one in the Denver area. People here find wonderful homes for hens in your situation all the time! I'm sure there is someone not too far who is in the same boat and would love to have your hen!

I didn't read the whole thread and I'm delighted she has found a home!

 

[divediva]

Omg only just seeing this and my heart was breaking. You obviously care about this girl and I can't imagine you living with the fact you killed her. Please ket us all know about the lovely new life she has. Good luck

 

[starri33]

What joyful news.. so glad that you were able to find her a new home.. I hope I am never in that place, but I'd want to have a new home for mine.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I'm super glad this hen found a home!

But would like to respond to the headline question... When is killing a healthy hen the right thing to do?

My honest answer is anytime you are ready to do so humanely! When it comes to our flocks we have that right and sometimes responsibility. Hens are NOT inedible, just a little smaller like my Silkies were... who dressed perfectly well for the table. Some people process their extra hens same as cockerels EVERY year. For ME, it is most often more economical to sell the extra females. We all have reasons we do what we do. While there is a ton of support here, I also sense plenty of judgement, which I feel is in large part due to misunderstanding. I'm not sure why so many people are against killing a healthy hen but fine to let previously *healthy* dead animals grace our tables daily as long as someone else did the killing and they didn't have to look it in the eyes.

Yes, I understand taking the life of a pet (or thinking about eating) is more difficult (especially in first world countries) and that it should not always be our suggestion, we should consider the poster and THEIR concerns.

Please note this isn't directed at anyone specific and just something I wanted to put out there. I'm so grateful for the many different thoughts and perspectives shared by our community here! (even the ones I disagree with) It has really opened my mind and made me a much more whole and rounded person, which translates to so many areas in life.

 

[ronkonkoma]

If she is an EGG LAYING hen, I'm pretty sure you can find someone who will want her for that purpose. You should have some sort of local chicken pages. On Facebook we have 2 just in my area that I know of. Good luck. The other options didnt seem great.

YAY! Just read the whole thread and saw you found her a good home

 

[Gargoyle]

Update: I've been told that she is doing great and fully Incorporated into the flock. I'm hoping to get photos later this week.

 

[SkunkWhisperer]

I'm happy to verify that Little Stinky not only found a wonderful new home with endless amounts of room, a healthy flock of sisters and one very handsome suitor, a couple of very large and barky dogs to protect all of them, and a human "mom" who is excited about her ever-expanding flock, she was also accepted very nearly instantly, with no de-feathering or bloodied comb or any other abuse. She even popped out two eggs in two consecutive days, something she did for me only rarely.

If you look at the voting results to the poll at the beginning of this thread, about 2/3 of respondents thought I should drive 400+ miles to re-home stinky. (I'm glad the drive was about 120 miles round trip...and driving anywhere in Colorado is pretty awesome.) The votes and comments serve to verify something I think we all already sense: This is a community of people who care deeply about animal welfare. Even those who view chickens only as sources of meat or eggs still feel a connection and responsibility to the animals.

I'm glad I found BYC.com early on. The good advice over the last few years and the concern and help with re-homing "the last chicken standing" of my little flock have been invaluable. Thank you, everyone!!!