I'm hoping and praying you will answer me. I have a girl( Bessie) I took in because my nephew was a very bad owner. Her two I'll call them sisters died of maltreatment which is why I took her. Put her on a good diet got her a nice coop and small yard. She soon started laying. Because of so many stray cats in our neighborhood I only let her roam whenever i collected her eggs or was just outside. She's done well and follows me around. She recently stopped laying but I have no intention of killing her for meat or otherwise. Not that I see anything wrong with that but I allowed myself to bond with her. She's almost 5 and I can see her slowing and she's also losing feathers like crazy. I recently Cought a juvenile possum in her cage eating her food but fixed her cage so it couldn't get back in. We had gotten some chick's a while back so she wouldn't be alone but because of our in experience it didn't go well. We did have them separated but she constantly tried to get at them. Life happens and we let them stay apart. I want to introduce them slowly( I've read up on how this time) but worry this will cause her even more stress. Seems I had a question when I started writing this now I just don't remember what it was. Is losing feathers like this normal, is she at the end of her life, would I be more humane if I put her down, do you think it's still possible to introduce her to the others? ( 3 hens and 1 jerk rooster they sold is on accident) those girls have free roaming because although that rooster is a menace( especially to my husband😂) he's a very good protector. I've read lots from others but for some reason after reading you I feel yourwho I want to hear these answers from. You have a heart for them but your also realistic. I'm sure o have a lot of errors but I'm but going to reread or I'll end up erasing or all cause I really feel awful but just about asking you all this but also as her owner and protector. I'll be thankful for any advice.
I'm hoping and praying you will answer me. I have a girl( Bessie) I took in because my nephew was a very bad owner. Her two I'll call them sisters died of maltreatment which is why I took her. Put her on a good diet got her a nice coop and small yard. She soon started laying. Because of so many stray cats in our neighborhood I only let her roam whenever i collected her eggs or was just outside. She's done well and follows me around. She recently stopped laying but I have no intention of killing her for meat or otherwise. Not that I see anything wrong with that but I allowed myself to bond with her. She's almost 5 and I can see her slowing and she's also losing feathers like crazy. I recently Cought a juvenile possum in her cage eating her food but fixed her cage so it couldn't get back in. We had gotten some chick's a while back so she wouldn't be alone but because of our in experience it didn't go well. We did have them separated but she constantly tried to get at them. Life happens and we let them stay apart. I want to introduce them slowly( I've read up on how this time) but worry this will cause her even more stress. Seems I had a question when I started writing this now I just don't remember what it was. Is losing feathers like this normal, is she at the end of her life, would I be more humane if I put her down, do you think it's still possible to introduce her to the others? ( 3 hens and 1 jerk rooster they sold is on accident) those girls have free roaming because although that rooster is a menace( especially to my husband😂) he's a very good protector. I've read lots from others but for some reason after reading you I feel yourwho I want to hear these answers from. You have a heart for them but your also realistic. I'm sure o have a lot of errors but I'm but going to reread or I'll end up erasing or all cause I really feel awful but just about asking you all this but also as her owner and protector. I'll be thankful for any advice.