I made a mistake

[pdxmelissa]

You didn't make a bad decision; she was not going to do well long term. I missed it; was she actively laying eggs, or had she stopped? Fat non-layers aren't in good shape.
Mary

I don't think she had laid an egg in maybe a year. I generally can't track who's laying, I go by who I see in the nesting boxes at different points of the day and I can't even remember the last time I saw her in there.

 

[pdxmelissa]

No need to feel badly. In everything we do, there is a lesson. In the long run, you were actually helping her. Hold your head up and know that you have the support of your BYC family!

Thank you. No one else I know has chickens, and while they'd say "Aw, that sucks", they don't really GET it.

 

[Folly's place]

Hens who are no longer producing eggs, for whatever reason, can put all that yummy food into body fat instead. She may have been a 'glutton' too.
Mary

 

[pdxmelissa]

How could you of known? I’m sure you were swift and humane.
I wish your heart peace.

It takes a lot to admit mistakes. In fact very seldom do people come back to this forum and admit that they were wrong about something (anything).
One good thing has come from your post. People in a similar situation may consider your circumstances.
We all learn. I thank you for your post.
We all understand.

If I can help someone looking at the same situation, then I guess that's an upside.

I will definitely be taking extra consideration the next time I feel I may have to cull a bird.

 

[pdxmelissa]

Oh Gosh...You could play the should of, could of, would of game forever. I should have done it earlier, I should have waited, she could have given me more signs, if only i would have had more experience with these things on and on it goes.

You cannot bring her back so you have to chalk this up to a learning experience and move forward, don't look back.

I am sorry that this happened, truly awful but, it happened.

Thank you

 

[MissChick@dee]

If I can help someone looking at the same situation, then I guess that's an upside.

I will definitely be taking extra consideration the next time I feel I may have to cull a bird.

Ya know I read your post to my husband. We too have a SLW. And she’s FAT! I just can’t get him to understand what his overtreating does!
So... you did help someone.
Me
Thanks again

 

[pdxmelissa]

Hens who are no longer producing eggs, for whatever reason, can put all that yummy food into body fat instead. She may have been a 'glutton' too.
Mary

See, and I was worried she wasn't getting enough to eat. Our rooster always singled her out to chase her off the feeder or any kitchen scraps I brought out, I made it a point to spread any treats over a wide area to make sure she would get some too. Maybe he was always chasing her off because she was a food hog when I wasn't around?

 

[pdxmelissa]

Ya know I read your post to my husband. We too have a SLW. And she’s FAT! I just can’t get him to understand what his overtreating does!
So... you did help someone.
Me
Thanks again

Time for a chicken diet! Glad I have helped!

 

[MissChick@dee]

See, and I was worried she wasn't getting enough to eat. Our rooster always singled her out to chase her off the feeder or any kitchen scraps I brought out, I made it a point to spread any treats over a wide area to make sure she would get some too. Maybe he was always chasing her off because she was a food hog when I wasn't around?

Maybe others will reply. Seriously I think SLW’s must have s predisposition to being fatter. Ima going to do some research. Going to learn something.

 

[pdxmelissa]

Maybe others will reply. Seriously I think SLW’s must have s predisposition to being fatter. Ima going to do some research. Going to learn something.

Come back and tell me what you find! Like I said, I have some Gold Laced Wyandottes that are looking a little round in the belly too. I'm going to cut back feed and treats and see if it makes a difference for them.