Lady Tottington's a Porker!

[Hashette]

Okay, this is mostly my fault. Being new to this game and trying to settle our ex-bat girls in, I over fed them on threats and they all put too much weight on. They're now free ranging so are getting loads of exercise, and three out of four of them are fine.

Then there's Lady Tottington. She was the smallest, scrawniest one of the lot, bottom of the pecking order and picked on by the rest. Was....

She's now a huge bruiser of a bird, and whilst it's nice to see her looking so much healthier, it's gone too far, and I'm worried that if she doesn't lose some weight, she'll start developing health problems.

But how to put her on a diet without depriving the other three? I'm only giving them layers mash (unlimted in a feeder), and the treats are limited to green, healthy stuff. Plus my flower borders..... I really don't want to take the layers mash away from the other three, especially in these temperatures, and besides we're out at work all day so it's not as if I can give them limited feeds at different times of day.

Any suggestions? If they made collars and leads for chooks I'd take her for a run with me

[Hans Mum]

dont know the definative answer ive only had my girls 2 days....but i read that they only eat what they need and not just because its there....i put my layer pellets out on a morning and only give titbits/treats in the late afternoon, but i am probably not the best person the answer...am sure some of the more experienced chickeneers will be along soon x

[lynda66]

she's probably just making up for lost time, and as she settles more and more will not pig out so much, if she's been short of food before, once she gets used to the fact that she's not going to run out of food, she'll probably eat a more normal amount, i'd be inclined to not worry about it till the weather warms up, as they will stay warmer with a bit of weight on

[Suechooks]

She's probably pujtting more fat on as she's been short of food - like people who go on really low calorie diets because the body turns everything to fat as a defence mechanism. Don't know how chooks metabolism works but that's how it is for people. Like Lynda I'd leave her and let her settle in her own time. Ex-batts are so used to being in hot temperatures they need some fat to keep warm. As the days get longer they'll be moving about for longer so she'll get more exercise then. How about making them work for their treats - put them in a hanging basket with logs or something underneath so they have to balance etc to get the treats.

[Hashette]

Thanks everyone, I feel better for reading that.

See what I mean, though - this was when she arrived in mid-October:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/p...0&id=573847173

And this is yesterday:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/p...1&id=573847173

[MaureenHall]

Can't see without logging in to Facebook Hashette. Like all the others say though, she'll probably settle down to a more realistic eating pattern as the days get longer and she realises that she doesn't need to fight for her food. I'd lay off the fattening treats for all of them though, layers pellets and mash really does contain all that's necessary for good health. Once she's eating the same amount as the others, then give them green treats, grapes, tomatoes etc. It also sounds like a good idea to make them work for their treats, hanging them up so they have to jump for them

[HayleyB]

Our Dawn was always the fatty now she's huge but looks happy and is laying well so I let her get on with it

[frias]

Had to sign up with facebook to see the photos. I think Lady T looks really well and healthy. Are you sure it's fat and not just that she's fluffed up with lots of feathers now? Can't blame her for living the good life after being deprived in prison.

[Hashette]

Aw, thanks everyone. Yep I'm sure she's got fat, unless chooks are supposed to carry saddlebags

I'm much less worried about it now though having read what you've all written. I read somewhere that if they put too much weight on they could have a heart attack, so that's what I've been fretting about.

She was such a laugh in the snow today. I watched her turbo-charging around the garden, seeing her playing like that was priceless, and whatever happens, at least I know she's had a couple of months of happy contentment

[MaureenHall]

I think mine enjoyed the snow today too. Turbo-charging is exactly the right description And most of mine have "saddlebags" too, so stop worrying!

[frias]

Yeh, I've got em too and I'm not ready to pop my clogs yet!
I'm glad to say we haven't had snow here yet although it did fall a couple of miles away.

[NSB]

Have you weighed her? Compaired to mine she looks the same and looks really healthy the fact she has full plumage will make her look better.