Free chickens!!!

dnomyar

I would have taken a few, but the freezer's full now, sorry!

ScratchandSniff-->[X]

Kylie wrote: »

Is this true? It seems strange to me. Surely this would cost the farmer much more than simply having these birds destroyed?

The vaccinations are given earlier in life and the birds will have earned their upkeep by the time they go off lay and do little else than consume feed. For registered animals there is a cost of having them disposed of - you can't just chuck a few hundred hens on your fire. There is also the time (cost) of arranging this. If they're going for food, there's obviously the associated costs of dispatching and preparing it.

picklepick

Kylie wrote: »

Is this true? It seems strange to me. Surely this would cost the farmer much more than simply having these birds destroyed?

farmers vaccinate battery hens from when theyre first acquired.....they dont vaccinate them when they leave!!! that would be silly !

SwissToni_2

Barring all the jokes about eating them, wouldn't they be too old for that use, otherwise the farmers would have sold them on for that purpose?

ebsay2000

My cats would love to have a few.......to play with!

wttgill

I have rescued hens and they have been a delight to keep and watch they have gone from being scared to leave the hen house to running around chasing the other hens for a juicy worm, and they do continue to lay

EssexHebridean

They are often referred to as "recycled batteries" - and after a short period of time getting used to their new surroundings - remember most will never have been used to natural daylight, and there are stories about them being terrified of grass and things when they are first outside - they will indeed provide you with plentiful eggs. If anyone listens to Chris Evans on Radio 2 he often mentions his hens - and they were indeed ex battery birds.

We would take some for certain if we only had the facilities.

ecomum

I think it is great that these ppl are willing to re-house these chickens. It is annoying that farmers put little price on the lives of chickens, as do many consumers especially considering that chicken is more highly consumed than beef or pork. Just because the chickens are a bit "old" to possibly be sold for meat, doesn't mean they can't be kept for producing eggs....and if they had been kept in "natural" conditions in the first place i.e. free range, then their "shelf-life" so to speak would be greatly improved, unfortunately this isn't always cost effective for farmers as alot of ppl are unwilling to pay the price for free-range, but I believe this is more due to ignorance....I'm amazed at how many ppl are unable to use a chicken other than for a sunday roast, when I get a chicken I get a sunday roast, boil the carcass for stock, and have enough meat left for a curry and a casserole (veggies also bulk the meal out). If schools and governments showed ppl how to cook proper food, then they would be more likely to buy quality meat (i.e. free-range) and food, thus supporting the local economy, and providing their families with quality meals without wastage.....anyway im going off topic lol....I'd love to re-home a couple of chickens but unfortunately my circumstances render it unpractical, however I hope one this will change, but keep up the good work!

boldaslove

i'd love to take some on but i'm sure my collie would never give them peace!

do they need much room? i mean, obviously they're used to living indoors do you keep them in sheds with a run, a bit like rabbits?

i bet i could find people who would be interested! i'll spread the word

BMcQueen

Anyone know where to get a cheap hen ark / house ?

Barry