crankycookie Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 I'm noticing that my 1.5 year old Gingernut Ranger seems kind of thin. Her keel bone feels really sharp when I pick her up, and the fact that her belly is a bit bald doesn't really seem to help. My other girls feel more normal, but since I'm a worrier, I prefer my chickens more on the voluptuous side than Kate Moss skinny. All have great appetites (ie are bottomless pits) and the ones that are in lay are very regular with their daily eggs. Should I be more worried or chill out? I give them treats every morning that are carb heavy (corn, rice, bread, etc) which they wolf down, but I really want them to plump out a bit. Any advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 11, 2010 Share Posted September 11, 2010 Make sure they are eating their layers pellets first. They contain everything a hen needs, vitamins, minerals etc. The treats should be fed later in the day as a 'treat'. If they fill up in the morning on rice, corn, bread etc, then they won't eat as many pellets. You could add more protein to their diet as this will increase her weight, but the layers pellets should do, if it makes up the majority of her diet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 11, 2010 Share Posted September 11, 2010 If they are up to date with Flubenvet worming and are eating a good amount of pellets or mash I wouldn't worry too much. I have a little white star that is very light and like a chickeny greyhound, she is our best layer and can chance down any fast moving insect. She is a lean mean laying machine Keep an eye on the thining of feathers though - check for parasites and ensure that she has deep bedding in the nesting area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 11, 2010 Share Posted September 11, 2010 Don't forget that hybrids tend to be skinny. They are bred for churning out eggs, not for meatiness. Worming and ensuring that the main part of the diet is layers pellets or mash will help her clap on a bit of meat, if she is underweight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beverley Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 HI this is exactly what happened to one of my hens during the summer, she was started to lose a lot of weight and developed a bald patch on her chest. her chest bone really stuck out. it got to the point where she wouldn't eat much at all, i couldn't worm her because she wouldn't eat it, in the end i took her to the vets, who said she thought she had some sort of resportry (sorry for spelling) infection and gave me some antibiotics for her, as soon as she finished them she perked up a little and then went straight into a moult, (her first, she is about 2 yrs) this was all about 6 weeks ago, she is now back to her fat greedy self, with a lovely new set of feathers. the one thing i did do was stop giving them all the greens, sweetcorn etc and just stuck to growers mash, which was recommended to me by the local poultry place, until she started to eat better. as soon as i finish this batch they will go back onto layers mash. and i now give them a chicken seed/insect mix as a treat, and only rarely veg. she has just started to lay again too. i hope this helps. olive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
