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

[yelsel20]

Hi

My sister and I both keep chickens and have both had one of our girls poorly in recent weeks. Mine has since recovered and my sisters, hopefully, is on the right roads now on antibiotics.

 

However, both mine and her vet said that our respective girls are underweight. We both feed ad-lib, mine mash, hers pellets, and mine run free range during the day. Treats are a few meal worms and a handful of pellets most evenings. All my other girls are fighting fit. Are the vets confused and advising underweight thinking they are "table" birds or are we not feeding enough. My sister has started providing pasta and mashed potato in the last couple of days to add extra bulk.

 

I shall be changing my girls to Garvo pellets this coming week end.

 

Any advice gratefully received.

 

Thanks

 

x 2 Grace and Flavia

Erin

Edna Olive and Mabel

Belle, Clucky, Rosie and Ruby

2 wks, Daisy, Flora and Hebe

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I think if they've always got pellets or mash available they'll eat however much they need. It doesn't sound to me like you're doing anything wrong . You could be right he's thinking of table birds.

 

How old are your girls? They do tend to get more matronly as they get older .

[yelsel20]

Hi

The girls are between 15 and 16 months - so youngsters really.

 

I guess I will just keep an eye on them all a little more closely for the next few days.

 

Love your pics.

 

Thanks for the reply.

[Olly]

In a layer (as opposed to a table bird) you should be able to feel the 'keel' bone or breastbone. I wonder too if he's thinking of meat birds. As long as they are eating and have food freely available, they will normally regulate their own weight.

[Egluntyne]

I agree, 'layers' don't have much meat on them at all and can feel surprisingly thin when picked up, especially as the feathers can give an impression of weight.

[Ness3103]

i'm so relieved i read this post i picked my girls up for their usual cuddle and i could feel their breast bone, it completely panicked me, (not felt it before ) i've had them 4 weeks now so maybe i'm holding them in a different way now i'm more confident with them

[quickcluck]

I too am relieved. I was told my poorly girl was too thin! I've felt the ones that I can catch and can feel their keel bone too! Was fretting that all my girls may be poorly. But they are scoffing like mad and laying as they normally do, so I'm assuming all is well!