Retiring GIY Farm Hens - 3 Hens

Why are you selling Hens?

To ensure we have plenty of eggs for our customers at GROW HQ we are replacing one of our flocks from the GIY Farm with younger birds, and looking for new homes for these hens. These happy hens have spent their days on the GIY Farm at the Curraghmore Estate and have been fed only organic hen feed. The breed of hen is a Rhode Island Red hybrid, the most common laying hen. They are 2 years old which means they are past peak production but they will continue to lay for another 3-5 years.

What's the Cost?

We are charging €5 per hen (new point of lay pullets will typically cost €20 per bird) but there's a minimum order quantity of 3 hens because hens like company and would be miserable by themselves.  Hence the price of €15 which is for 3 hens.  We can not sell them in a smaller number.  There is no maximum number.

Collection

The hens must be collected at GROW HQ on a Friday morning between 9am and 1pm. We can not deliver them. Please call us on 051 584422 to arrange a time for your collection on a Friday. Please note you must have placed your order before lunch time Thursday to collect hens on Friday morning (as they have to be transported from Curraghmore to GROW HQ). GROW HQ's Eircode is X91 NX30.

For collection you will need to bring a cardboard box big enough for the number of hens you are collecting, with holes in the box to ensure they are comfortable.  

How Many Eggs Can I Expect?

From 3 years of age onwards, egg production naturally declines by roughly 10% to 20% each year. By year 5, a hen might lay 100 to 150 eggs annually. Still a lot of eggs, but not enough for a commercial poultry enterprise.

Note that hens will temporarily stop or slow down egg laying due to seasonal cycles. During annual Molting, every autumn, hens shed and rebuild their feathers. This process takes 6 - 12 weeks, during which egg production stops entirely because their nutrients go toward feather growth. In the winter hens require about 14 - 16 hours of daylight to stimulate maximum egg production. Because Rhode Island Reds are cold-hardy, they will often lay through the winter, but their output will drop noticeably unless you use supplemental coop lighting.

Animal Welfare

At GIY, animal welfare is extremely important to us. These hens have been cared for to high welfare standards throughout their lives, and we want to ensure they continue to enjoy a good quality of life in their new homes.

By purchasing these hens, you are taking responsibility for their ongoing care and welfare. Hens require suitable housing, protection from predators, access to fresh water and appropriate feed, sufficient space to roam and exhibit natural behaviours, and prompt veterinary attention if they become ill or injured.

It is the purchaser's responsibility to ensure compliance with all applicable animal welfare, biosecurity and Department of Agriculture requirements relating to the keeping of poultry. Please note that, as these are living animals, GIY cannot guarantee future health, longevity or egg production levels.

Thank you for giving these hardworking hens a happy retirement home.