Fat Hen

[talexbrock]

Hi, I have a small flock of 8 free range (well, in my backyard) hens and have recently become concerned about my Buff Orpington's weight. She's HUGE! She has a soft, squishy handful of FAT? on her abdomen between her legs and I'm not sure if shes laying eggs at this point. I feed the girls Countryside Natural Soy Free Layer feed and throw out some scratch (Wheat, Oats, Cracked Corn) most days. They pretty much ignor the layer feed in favor of the scratch and free ranging but I'll see one eating it occasionally.

I know being this overweight is not good for her and my question is how do I put just one chicken in a flock on a diet? If I need to isolate her to put her on a diet, what and how much should I feed her and how fast can she safely loose the weight? How is it that she's so fat while everyone elses weight is OK - could it be a disease?

Thanks for your insight )

 

[cmom]

I have one hen that is bigger than the rest. She is healthy. She was a late bloomer. She was the last to start laying. I have a pullet that I think is going to be a lot like her. BIG.