Chickens losing weight

[Anonymous]

12 days ago I acquired 4 white star hybrid hens, they had been part of a commmercial free range flock, and one in particular has lost a lot of weight the other 3 have lost some weight but not as severely. What can I do to help her gain weight. I started by feeding layers mash dry, with mixed corn as a treat, as soon as I noticed the weight loss I also left a bowl of layers pellets in the coop in case this was prefered, but it has barely been touched. The hens get access to the garden for at least 4 hours per day and they all seem active and inquisitive. Currently I am getting 2/3 eggs per day. Any advice or hints would be gratefully recieved plus can anyone recommend a good reference book for keeping layer hens. Many thanks.

 

[Tim]

Hi there,

Are they are losing weight now? From your description, they sound pretty healthy and normal and will slowly increase weight if they can get access to food with enough protein in it.

Protein is what puts on weight - so you could give some boiled pasta or potatoes (mixed with the mash). Spaghetti is a great treat as it is like worms. They may not eat this though if they are not used to it. Personally though, I wouldn't try to fatten them up too much, I would let them gain weight at their own speed. I do feed pasta mixed with other scraps but limit the amount they get (no more than 25% of their diet).

Protein is also obtained from slugs and snails etc - so if they free range they can top up on this as they need it.

Growers mash / pellets are higher in protein but usually contain an ACS drug and shouldn't be used for layers - you will need to find it without ACS but then the extra protein can easily be given in other ways like with the pasta above and with them being (part) free range, they should be fine putting on weight without this.

One other thought is that there is now an Ex-bats range from Smallholder - I think that is higher in Protein.

I hope this is of use.

Tim

 

[Anonymous]

Many thanks for your advice, the weight loss seems to have abated, but not much sign of improvement yet, the skinny hen appears to be at the bottom of the pecking order as she is often to be found at the opposite end of the garden to the others so lets hope she can cope with her new position. What is your opinion of clipping beaks? Its something I have heard about, another suggestion I have been given is to use special elastic bands to restrict their beaks, I wonder if these suggestions are a very harsh way of dealing with the problem what do you think?

 

[Tim]

Personally, I've never done anything like that. All of my hens have room to roam and get a peck now and again. A short sharp peck and a hen running out of the way making a little noise as she goes is normal, especially if there's food involved. I always make sure there are feeders available for all hens and if I do give them mash with the leftovers, it gets scattered in more than one place so they can all get some. If they are keeping their distance, I would let them get on with it.

It will take a long time for the skinny hen to put on weight. Make sure she has been wormed though. Some good layers (like Bovan Goldline hybrid RIR X White Leghorn) feel very skinny - this is normal, leghorns and crosses are particularly streamline and are efficient at converting food into eggs and don't carry alot of weight.

Tim