Unfortunately, we had to cull one our hens yesterday, which was a first time experience. I will spare everyone the graphic images. So that leaves us with five hens. We have one other chicken on the fatal waiting list, but I would rather do this in baby steps.
This particular hen was not laying any eggs. In fact, I am not sure she has ever produced any eggs. Also, she was not eating much and earlier became sickly looking. Then she started pulling her own feathers out. I isolated her from the flock and did everything in my power to make her better. In spite of my effort, she never fully recovered enough for me to feel confident to place her back with the other chickens. Therefore, we made the decision to cull her. Strangely enough, it almost feels like playing God, making the decision to end another living creature's life. I am not sure if I am totally comfortable with that kind of responsibility; but one thing I have learned, it is definitely a necessary part of raising chickens. By the way, just a little practical advice to make the culling a little easier, do not name your chickens.
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Did you eat her? I'm not sure I'd eat a sickly chicken unless I was starving. But like you said - a necessary part of raising chickens. I think to help get over this would be to raise some meat chickens. God made the chicken for us to eat and to enjoy the eggs. It is according to his plan.
ReplyDeleteSorry it took me so long to respond. Actually, I am still learning about the blog and its functions, so I wasn't even aware any comments were here. lol
ReplyDeleteI couldn't bare to eat her because that would almost be like eating a pet. Most definitely, I need to stop thinking of my chickens as pets. It is one big learning process...