Breeding Program Retirees

From time to time, we offer a small number of mature hens from our breeding program to new homes.

These hens are being retired from our breeding pens as we make room for younger pullets and continue developing our breeding lines. They are healthy, mature birds that have been part of our breeding program and have already established their individual traits, temperament and laying characteristics.

What to Expect

Breeding program retirees are generally 2–3 years old. Because they are mature hens, their egg production will naturally be lower than that of a young started pullet, and they should not be purchased with the expectation of peak production.

What they offer is the opportunity to bring home a mature, established hen without raising a young pullet through the growing stage.

Depending on the individual bird, you may already know:

Her breed and breeding background
Her egg colour
Her temperament
Her laying characteristics
Her appearance and feathering
Her overall suitability as a backyard flock member

Available Breeding Program Retirees

When we have breeding program retirees available, the actual hens being offered will be pictured below, along with their breed, age and price.

Availability is very limited and varies from year to year. We only offer these hens when we are making changes to our breeding groups and replacing mature hens with younger pullets.

Available breeds and individual birds will be listed here as they become available.

Please note: The breeds shown will vary from year to year. Not every breed will have a retiree available.

Limited Availability

These hens are not available on a regular schedule.

We only offer breeding program retirees when we are making changes to our breeding groups, so availability may vary from year to year. Some years there may only be a few birds available, while other years there may be none.

When available, retirees will generally be offered during July and August, following our main breeding season.

Because quantities are very limited, specific breeds and individual birds cannot be guaranteed each year.

Pricing

Our breeding program retirees are priced according to age and individual circumstances.

2-year-old hens — $30
3-year-old hens — $25

Occasionally, a particular bird may be priced differently based on her breed, breeding background or individual characteristics.

Important to Know

These are mature laying hens, not started pullets. Their most productive laying years are behind them, and their future egg production will vary from bird to bird.

They may, however, be an excellent choice for someone looking for a mature, established hen rather than a young bird.