CatieB Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 I have three girls of the same age who live together, eat together and free range for the same time, yet one of them is noticeably heavier and looks quite rounded! Is it just one of those things, that its destined to be like its keeper, or should I do something to intervene? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Like humans, they come in different shapes and sizes. Would only be worried if it was looking under-weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 How old are they, and is she still laying? Does she walk with a wide legged gait? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted August 9, 2010 Author Share Posted August 9, 2010 Hello and thanks - they were 16 weeks when we got them in May so I think they are about 7 months old and have been laying for about a month or so. I haven't noticed an odd walk but will look tomorrow. What could that indicate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 That she was a fatty . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 I haven't noticed an odd walk but will look tomorrow. What could that indicate? Don't want to alarm you unnecessarily, but if a hen has a very fat appearance and walks with her legs apart it can indicate that she might have peritonitis. She is on the young side, so it is probably nothing to worry about, but worth having in mind. Are they all the same breed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Sorry to hijack but what is the ideal weight for a fully grown laying hen ? Hope your girl is OK CatieB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Sorry to hijack but what is the ideal weight for a fully grown laying hen ? It depends on the breed. I have had a gingernut ranger who was very petite, much smaller than my other hens, and now have a huge Marans who walks with the aformentioned wide gait and is really heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted August 10, 2010 Author Share Posted August 10, 2010 Sorry bit dim in the breed dept. I didn't know what breed they were so I've just looked at where I got them from;I have two goldlines and a Nera (rhode rock) who is the larger one and the one I was asking about. Does that make sense? She doesn't appear to have a gait but did stay in the nest box on the eggs after laying today until I poked her out. Surely too young to be broody? Would that make her look larger anyway? When do they get broody? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Could you post some pictures so we can have a look? Is she as active as the others? They can go broody quite early she is 7 months, so I would discourage her from being a mum as she isn't really mentally mature. You will know if she is broody, the insane clucking, she may pull out her feathers on her breast, yes they fluff up when disturbed but then tend to do a pancake impression for a bit. I have a totally mad Pekin who has gone broody every month this summer - good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
