4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Nature Chick]

....The girls and I are settling in our new house - and I have decided to get an eglu!!! much better for our new, more urban life I think - although my landlord likes them they have set about wrecking the smallish garden so I will have to take action in time for winter!!

 

I am feedling them layers mash, sweetcorn, rice and the occaisional mealworm but they are quite thin - being rescue hens I know they will never be ultra-healthy award-winning hens but can anyone suggest anything I can give them to fatten them up?

 

....Eglu could be here tomorrow - too exciting!!

Thanks

[Mutrix Farmers]

Plenty of layers mash and only treats in the afternoon. At least that way they will be getting the correct nutrients and not filling up on treats. I'm sure they are lovely girls already.

[twix]

ex battery rescue? if so the best thing to build them up to healthy chickens is probably exercise and time. they will have no muscle and that's why they look skinny. also plenty of feed with variety too though.

sounds like you want to eat them in the heading!?

[Nature Chick]

OMG - I would never eat my girls!!!!!!!!

I took them to the vet for their vaccinations and the vet told me they were too skinny (very upsetting) so just after some advice really!

Thanks

[ajm200]

I think it's the same for chickens as people. They need lots of healthy food, fresh air and exercise. Given time, they'll fill out

[clucking mad]

play fetch with them, or tag, or hide n seek.

 

anything that gets them moving, they just need time to build up their muscles.

 

put them on leads and take them on walks around the neighbourhood, then count how many funny looks you get

[buffie]

Yes just give them time and they'll plump up, plenty of good food and water and you'll see a big difference in a few weeks

 

BBx

[chickencam]

Laying chooks are naturally quite skinny, so don't worry provided that they have food available they will eat what they need and will look better with new feathers.