Would you give them away?

[Chickassan]

I have had to rehome boys and I swapped out one boy when I got back into having chickens. If I hadn't swapped there would have been two boys for two girls. The boy I kept eventually was given back for being creepy with chicks. Last year I rehomed one boy, he's still doing fine. This year I rehomed four boys, three are just being cockrels and one is making more birds for food. I haven't gotten rid of any of my ladies though. I don't have that many and I only add maybe three or four a year. This round of chickening is for pure fun and bonus eggs so these girls and my rooster will probably collect social security here.

 

[llombardo]

Nope. They are here to stay to hopefully a ripe old age.

 

[Morrigan]

I'd give away extra roosters or hens to someone I knew was a good caretaker and was looking to add them to their flock, rather than their freezer. Otherwise, we put them in our own freezer.

It's always difficult culling the extras, but I'd rather know their end fate was clean and fast. Plus we value and fully utilize the meat we harvest.

 

[bobbi-j]

We have some neighbors that just moved back home to the country. If they are interested in starting a flock, I'd give them some. If I knew of someone who was hungry and needed the meat, I'd probably give them a few extra cockerels. Other than that, no. We will process our own spent hens and excess cockerels. I agree with Morrigan - at least we know their fate and the meat and carcass don't go to waste.

 

[Pugsabi]

I lucked out and didn't get a surprise roo, otherwise he would have either been rehomed or gone to freezer camp. I am incubating a few eggs that I never had plans on keeping. These guys are going to my brother-in-law's place. I like all of my chickens, but if I had to choose between them or the pug, I'd choose the dog everytime.

 

[Rysktal]

I traded away 3 relentlessly broody hens at the beginning of the season for 6 chicks.
I wasn't interested in dealing with that many broody hens and it made sense at the time.

 

[jvls1942]

yes, in a heart beat.
I have given away whole flocks if I can't sell them.
they are just eggs and meat providers.

 

[ShellyBlanco]

My answer is going to have to be “it depends”. Sometimes situations happen where I may need to rehome someone.

We gave the mean cockerel away.

Honestly, for me to rehome a hen it would have to be what is best for her or the rest of our flock as a whole. If one was being picked on to the point of death, I would certainly find her a home where she could lead a happy life before letting her suffer every day. Or if I had an extreme bully that couldn’t be persuaded to be nice no matter how much training.

Aside from that I can’t see myself parting with any of our girls. They are my little buddies Every time I go out and walk around when they are free ranging they follow me in a little chicken train. Gotta love having company doing chores!

I feel just like @news2chicks97 there's no need trying to say it any better

 

[bobbi-j]

I traded away 3 relentlessly broody hens at the beginning of the season for 6 chicks.
I wasn't interested in dealing with that many broody hens and it made sense at the time.

Sounds like a great trade! (Wish I could have been on the receiving end of one of those broodies!)

 

[aart]

Sounds like a great trade! (Wish I could have been on the receiving end of one of those broodies!)

I've got one that may be given away...thought of you first, but do have a local hatchoholic who will take her.