[leggygirls]

It's time to let my girls go ... I cannot do it the wringing neck way, breaking neck way, or any similar way.  The vet route proved very expensive, £45.00 for one poorly hen, as I've got to do it to 4 that's just tooooooo expensive.  Is there another route for me? Would be very grateful for sensible suggestions.

[arugula]

Rehome them? You've had them about 2 years, is that right? Were they POL when you got them or older? If they are not ill they could go to another home, if you can't keep them any longer, and enjoy life there.

[leggygirls]

Have had them since January 2010, they were young and it was a couple of months before they laid.    I will investigate re-homing them, thank you.

[JaK]

I have to agree, some one will give them a home. Advertise them locally for £2 each and your hand will be bitten off. 

[nerdle]

My vet is £10 (exotic pet category). That's one thing that would freak me out so I had to check.

[Craigx]

Where are you from?

Craig

[grinling]

If you are despatching because they are not laying then it is because they will start moulting before laying again in the spring.

[GrannieAnnie]

Our brown hens are older than that and are still laying some eggs, but I am hoping for a few more come spring.  Why do you have to get rid of yours now?  Like Craig said, whereabouts are you?  If you put your location in your profile, we can maybe be more helpful.

You could put them on Preloved too if you really want rid.

[leggygirls]

Am in Shepperton, Middlesex / Surrey border.  Moving to Dorset and not sure they will cope with such a long move.  Laying has been iffy for a while with one consistently laying a soft shell, another has recently followed suit a third gave up laying all together about 4 months ago now and the fourth is as you suggest, moulting and just looking v. fed up!

[joyfull]

can I suggest that if you are going to go down the route of dispatching hens when they finish laying that you go on a dispatching course. Most of these will also show you how to pluck and gut your birds if you want to eat them although most egg laying hybrids don't have a lot of meat on them.
I dispatch mine (usually cockerels) using one of the humane wall dispatchers which can be found here

[Craigx]

if you was closer id of taken them from you, it seems such a shame ur culling them cus ur moving..


Craig

[JaK]

Just to echo Joyfull, I think a course is the best way to go before you try it yourself.

I found going on a course was really helpful and reassuring and although I don't like doing it at all, I know that I'm doing it the best way I can.

[grinling]

Have your chickens got access to oyster shell and greens(cabbage, grass) as this might help with soft shells.