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

[McChook]

One of my gingernuts has a very prominent breast bone - she's healthy, active, eats well and is my most dependable layer, but she just doesn't feel right. Not that I'm an expert by any means, but the other 3 seem to have more (please forgive me) meat on them.

 

She doesn't seem to be bothered when I touch her, she just eyes me in the usual 'what are you doing now?' kind of way, but I was wondering if anyone else has a chook like this or is this normal and the other 3 are just overweight?

 

Thanks in advance...

[Egluntyne]

Some of them do have a more promnent keel bone.

 

Is she otherwise healthy? I shouldn't worry if she is.

 

It might be worth worming her though, and checking for lice and mites, more to put your mind at rest than anything else.

[Cinnamon]

My vet said that the flesh on either side of the bone should be convex on a healthy bird.

If its concave,then the bird is underweight or sick.

My Gingernut was a skinny girl, as are a couple of my other hens.

I think some breeds are just naturally plumper than others - rather like people

[Guest]

I think people are used to seeing big plump chicken breasts on their plate but they are from birds bred for meat. Egg layers, and I could be wrong, aren't bred to put on weight. A fat hen doesn't lay.

 

All our girls have boney chests

[chelsea]

I think some breeds are just naturally plumper than others - rather like people

 

That I agree with!

 

My Ella is a buxom babe, she's very round and plump.

Surprisingly she does still lay eggs, which we thank her for every day - it takes her a lot of effort.