When your chickens get old and die...

[TheTwoRoos]

Thanks beekissed , K&S, Kaboom, so nice to talk with those that understand.

Beekissed, that is a really good way to think about it. I'll talk with my neighbor, as he has already said I should butcher the ones that aren't laying anymore, and he'd like the meat. When they get in really bad shape, he doesn't want the meat.

I still feel like he is doing me a big favor though, and I'll have to figure out a way to repay.

Kaboom--the first one to pass was a speckled sussex--she was quite the personality! She had a bit of a tough time as a chick and was always a terrible layer, tiny eggs to boot.

Jackie O. is the only one of my original batch (the rest turned out to be roosters!) I'm guessing a black Australorp (sp?). She has been a very dependable layer until the last year or so. But she almost always has poopy butt and odd-shaped eggs. She was the alpha hen.

Pheonix is the Gold-laced Wyandotte--she is a real *****, but she is STILL a great layer, totally dependable, and seems healthy at 9 years old.

The others (3) are Easter Eggers and aren't very good layers anymore, but they seem very healthy and are sweet. Maybe if I put them in a tractor next year, get them on grass, they will lay better?

I need eggs! Guess that means chicks...

Your chickens are probably done laying at that age,even if they had grass,it prob wouldn't do too much.

 

[bobbi-j]

Good for you for considering speaking with your neighbor. I, too, believe it's kinder and more merciful to give them a quick humane end to their lives than let them go to the point that they get sick and suffer. And, as others have stated, it's a win-win for both you and your neighbor (and your chickens, really).

 

[21hens-incharge]

I belive you should NOT have the killed.Ithink you should keep them in a pen with a house with comfy, dry wood chicks for them to scratch and peck and a grassy run and give them good last days of life.

And when the time comes that they are starving because they can no longer eat? Laying there gasping for breath?
Death is not pretty or kind when it happens. It rarely involves happily scratching about.

I vote for a quick end while still healthy enough to go in a stock pot.

Having lost a few to age I would be very grateful to a neighbor that was willing to help.

 

[chookchick]

Well we called the neighbor and had him take care of Jackie O. also. My husband and I are discussing how to proceed. We are thinking maybe at the end of next season, we would have him butcher the rest of this batch, as they will be 9 and 10 years by then. That way hopefully they won't go to waste, and now I realize that they aren't going to live forever. My husband wants me to consider not getting chicks, and taking a break for at least a winter (getting a chicken sitter is always an issue). I'm still mulling that over.

 

[Beekissed]

Well we called the neighbor and had him take care of Jackie O. also. My husband and I are discussing how to proceed. We are thinking maybe at the end of next season, we would have him butcher the rest of this batch, as they will be 9 and 10 years by then. That way hopefully they won't go to waste, and now I realize that they aren't going to live forever. My husband wants me to consider not getting chicks, and taking a break for at least a winter (getting a chicken sitter is always an issue). I'm still mulling that over.

That's a very thoughtful and responsible way to go about it and I applaud you. Many will come to that conclusion but fail to follow through on it, so it's good to see someone learning and applying good management when it comes time to do so. I also think you've done very well to get so many chickens to such an old age in such good health, so you are definitely doing something good where you are.

 

[lazy gardener]

X 2. You and hubby will have to work out the details re: flock replacement and when. If you have something special planned for next winter, his idea makes a lot of sense. It all depends on who is most passionate... Him for no chicks vs. you for more chicks! And you are doing a good job with your flock stewardship. Ownership of any animal comes with the responsibility of seeing to their needs from start to finish.

 

[CuzChickens]

From an emotional standpoint, I think I would let them live. But from a sensible and responsible animal caretaker standpoint, think of them. Would you rather pass in your sleep when you've reached a ripe old age, or spend the last months of your life battling something and pass when you are miserable? Follow your instincts, and whatever you do, just don't let them suffer. It sounds like you are a good chicken parent.

 

[Skoytl]

Everyone has to die. It's inevitable. Your chickens might unfortunately be going through that process now. However, killing them will save them much suffering. It would be more humane for them to be killed. There are many ways to kill them humanely, for example by giving them carbon monoxide, which makes them fall asleep and never waking up. While letting them live might be prettier and more beneficial to an owner, if one really cared about one's chickens, he would let them go and spare them the misery of dying.

 

[conada]

Gosh now I'm worried. I have one hen (Mrs. Speck) named by my grand children, shes going on 9 and hasnt layed in sometime. Also Red and Goldie who are maybe two years younger. They are healthy, big and fluffy but none have layed in close to a year. Now I'm concerned for their longevity. They are quite healthy. Should I start preparing my grandchildren for their demise? I guess I need to prepare myself. I also have a big beautiful goldern Rooster named Roo who's just as old..

 

[CuzChickens]

I would certainly begin preparing your grandkids for it, as sad as it is. Maybe get a few new chicks to lessen the blow to all of you.