The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Bramham Wiltshire Horns on October 03, 2016, 05:17:55 pm

Title: older chickens
Post by: Bramham Wiltshire Horns on October 03, 2016, 05:17:55 pm

what do you all do with your older chooks(2-3 yrs) when you want to replace them
i have about 10 of all different breeds to go they are still layeing some eggs probably aroung 3 a week each  but have some younger pullets coming through that i will replace them with for next year

i dont really want to cull them as i think they will do someone some decent eggs next year for the back garden
would auction be an option but dont want to decieve anyone into thinking they will get a tonne of eggs from them

thanks in advance

Title: Re: older chickens
Post by: Caroline1 on October 03, 2016, 05:25:57 pm

I think some people will be happy to rehome, most who have them for pets are happy with the odd egg, although there are so many ex-battery schemes I feel the market is a bit saturated. No harm trying though.

I just let mine live out their lives until old age, but I don't need a commercial supply of eggs or to turn a profit.

Title: Re: older chickens
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on October 03, 2016, 08:58:17 pm

I have some warrens, ex batts, and they still lay superbly and are coming up for 6 yrs old! :) Have you a local poultry sale at all? wE used to sell ours through auction and they don't fetch much but people will still buy them. BTW what breed are they? Have they been vaccinated and whereabouts are you? Also what price are you looking for?

Title: Re: older chickens
Post by: Marches Farmer on October 04, 2016, 08:19:39 am

We sell ours in their second year, through Hereford market's poultry sales (first and third Thursday of the month through Spring, Summer and Autumn).  I always label the box (they provide cages but like them in boxes with wired sides if you can) with exactly what's in there - breed, sex and date of hatch.  I never take in a bird I've any concerns about healthwise and I think folks now know that mine are what it says on the box, so prices are generally quite reasonable.

Title: Re: older chickens
Post by: Celli on October 04, 2016, 08:45:37 am

I keep mine, I think they get more character as they get older, I have one 6yro who hasn't laid an egg for three years, but I couldn't part with her.

Title: Re: older chickens
Post by: devonlady on October 04, 2016, 10:32:41 am

My brother had an ex battery hen still alive at 12 years old, not laying, of course, but dearly loved.

Title: Re: older chickens
Post by: farmers wife on October 04, 2016, 11:03:17 am

I put mine on a local poultry FB page and they all went - min of 5 £3 each. Plenty of people happy to have the odd egg.

Title: Re: older chickens
Post by: Dave C on October 04, 2016, 11:25:59 am

There is a lad down in the village takes all mine, he dosent breed so is happy for older hens for free and I get the odd pint off him down the pub. M

Last year when I lost most of my stock in a fox attack I was able to get some hens back off him to keep my breeds going.