In article >,
ChattyCathy > wrote:

> They seem to be; they're probably luckier than some. The breeding farm we
> bought them from (when they were 4 weeks old) also supply the local
> commercial chicken farms where the hens are kept in those tiny little
> cages 24/7 for +/- 2 yrs and then off they go to the pet food factory...
>
> Not our lot. They have a fairly decent hen house to sleep in at night
> (with nesting boxes for laying their eggs) - but also have a nice big yard
> to scratch around in during the day. Of course we feed them layers mash
> and corn - and make sure they always have fresh, clean water to drink.
>
> There's a pic of them on the RFC pets page if you're interested (taken a
> while back):
>
> http://www.recfoodcooking.com/pet/sh...attyCathy).jpg
>
> This bunch *are* getting a bit long in the um, tooth <wink> - and we only
> have 8 of them left now - so they don't lay every day anymore. And the
> fact that it's winter here at the moment drops the egg production even
> more; they seem to concentrate on growing more feathers to keep warm than
> on producing eggs. Heh. Can't say I blame them.
>
> However, can't say I'm all that sorry about the drop in egg production
> either... 5-7 eggs a week (at the moment) is more than enough for my
> needs. It might go back to as much as 4-5 eggs a day once spring arrives
> again, but I'm not holding my breath. No matter. They also make pretty
> good pets and are not as stupid as most people think, so they can stay and
> enjoy their 'retirement' in peace (and with full bellies) - they've earned
> it ;-)

Dang that is a nice hen house! :-)

I do miss my chickens. Very personable birds and I never killed my
laying hens. They were allowed to go thru henopause and die of old age...

I had an eclective mix of hens. Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, White
and Red Leghorns, Transylvania naked necks, Buff Orpingtons, Cochin
bantams in both straight and frizzled feathers and Japanese Silkies.
Oh, and some "wild" game hen crosses that joined our flock by flying
over the fence. <G> Those resulted in several interesting crossbred hens
as those little buggers were good at hiding nests.

Granted, excess roosters from unplanned hatches did get eaten but I
mostly replaced layers with pre-sexed pullets by mail order or from the
local feed store.

Chickens are fun.

They sing when they are happy. :-)

Ps, we purchased some 2 year old "soup" hens a couple of times from a
local egg ranch. Hens that had lived their entire lives in battery
laying cages. $2.00 each. It was amazing how quickly the adapted to
yard life and even flew up into low tree branches with the rest of the
hens!
--
Peace! Om

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*Only Irish *coffee provides in a single glass all four *essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar *and fat. --Alex Levine