Putting weight on chickens

[Sarah]

Hi

Can someone give me some advice and tell what is the best way to put some weight on my chickens. They have been wormed with flubenvet and they are currently fed on layers, corn and complete food (which contains oyster shell, layer & corn). They are all laying and seen healthy and happy!

Thanks
Sarah

 

[chrismahon]

Some breeds seem to stay slim naturally, particularly hybrids or the flighty Pedigrees. Putting too much weight on a laying hen can cause a drop in egg production. We've had to put our piggy Orpingtons on a restricted diet as they were too fat to lay -fine now. Maize, or sweetcorn, makes them fat Sarah. But I think yours are best left in their natural condition. They have been wormed and Summer is on its way, so they don't need a fat layer for insulation.

 

[foxy]

Agree with Chris Sarah. The most important thing is that your hens are healthy, happy and in lay...is there something about their weight than concerns you?

 

[Marigold]

I agree, why would you want them to put on weight! Fat distributes itself around the ovaries and can cause egglaying problems. (Same as in humans- I must remember that if given any Easter eggs.)
A few months ago, when Marigold, my Buff Suusex, had a gut infection and I was concerned because she wasn't eating and I thought she was losing weight, the vet said that actually she was a bit plump, and you should be able to feel a hen's keel bone quite prominently to check her weight. A productive hen will put a lot of energy and food resources into laying eggs, and if, like you, her owner feeds suitable food and doesn't top up with 'treats' high in fat and sugar, she will stay the correct weight for her type of bird. As yours are laying and healthy, you don't need to worry about their weight at all.
Sometimes, though, hens can go into a long decline and lose weight which isn't apparent under their feathers. They hide their illness as long as possible, and when examined, you will feel they have become much lighter than you would expect. So its a good idea to handle and check them fairly frequently, so you know what is normal for a particular bird or breed, and also at the same time look for parasites etc.

 

[Sarah]

Thank you all once again for your advice. I will stop worrying. The reason I asked is a couple of the hybrids feel slim. I can really feel the breast bone! Thanks.