5 year old hen dietary advice

[Yuki]

Rolled oats, or steel cut oats, actually contain more protein than eggs. They are great for feeding (all of the time), so if you think you might not be feeding enough protein, try adding oats. (Also very cheap!)

I'll try a slow change in there diet and I'll add oyster shells thanks for the advice everyone

 

[HennyPenny2019]

View attachment 1625922 here is the set up the 2 5 year old hens are lazy and love naps they don't like to move much since they are getting older I'm guessing I'm lucky that they are almost 5

That looks like a pretty secure pen. Does the sun shine in there sometimes.

 

[JanetMarie]

Hens will naturally store fat in the abdominal region regardless of what they are fed. The reason is that when they go broody there is a store of fat to live off of.

 

[Yuki]

I did not know that and yes the sun is ableto get into the pen the blue tarp is removable with clips butsadly before thanksgiving a possum got in and beat up my guinea hen she went to the vet and is fine now the possoum is dead I strangled it at least tried to then beat it skull in with a back of a pistol no one touches my babies

 

[Yuki]

Just thank you so much for the information I'm going to change their diet and ease up on the treats and does the breast bone method go for guinea hens to?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Just thank you so much for the information I'm going to change their diet and ease up on the treats and does the breast bone method go for guinea hens to?

Yes, it's a good gauge for any birds.

 

[Wendy Case]

Stopping, or severely cutting back is best. Some treats are good for mental stimulation. Scattering them around the run so birds need to forage for them gets them moving, and gives them something to do.

I for one will be cutting back. Lol
I throw some mealworms or other dried bugs around the run to combat boredom!

 

[Wendy Case]

I for one will be cutting back. Lol
I throw some mealworms or other dried bugs around the run to combat boredom!

We're also having very cold days and the nights are in the teens. I don't want to cut back too much.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I did not know that and yes the sun is ableto get into the pen the blue tarp is removable with clips butsadly before thanksgiving a possum got in and beat up my guinea hen she went to the vet and is fine now the possoum is dead I strangled it at least tried to then beat it skull in with a back of a pistol no one touches my babies

Dang! You Go Yuki Girl

 

[ronott1]

My hens get regular chicken feed and some kale each day. Even the old ones do not get very fat. Kale is very good for them. I buy it from wall mart pre chopped in a one pound bag. The bag lasts a week for 8 hens