Adding Weight to Hens?

[Ejmurd]

We recently pickup up 5 hens from a backyard flock that was being downsized. These hens look really thin and not plump and healthy. I noticed when I picked them up there wasn't much weight or meat to them. Could it be the breed? Or could they be a little on the malnourished side? What's the best way to put some weight on these girls?

 

[cavemanrich]

Just feed them as your other hens.
Post some pictures,, Maybe they are small breed, or like White leghorns, slim egg producers.
Are you trying to fatten them up to have more dressed meat???

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It could very well be the breed. What breed are they?
Egg breeds are always very thin. Dual purpose breeds are heavier yet still often productive. Meat breeds are beefy.
Where would you like them to put on weight? Breast muscle or Fat?
Muscle is built with protein, but it won't happen if they aren't genetically predisposed. Body fat on chickens comes from carbs and fats like grains but isn't healthy. It usually is visceral fat around the organs.

 

[Ejmurd]

Just feed them as your other hens.
Post some pictures,, Maybe they are small breed, or like White leghorns, slim egg producers.
Are you trying to fatten them up to have more dressed meat???

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

no pics yet, we were told the breeds were California white, ananaan

Just feed them as your other hens.
Post some pictures,, Maybe they are small breed, or like White leghorns, slim egg producers.
Are you trying to fatten them up to have more dressed meat???

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

no pics yet, but we were told California white, andalusian, isabella leghorn and a mix. just wanting to fatten them up to look a little more healthy, they just looked kinda puny

 

[Ejmurd]

It could very well be the breed. What breed are they?
Egg breeds are always very thin. Dual purpose breeds are heavier yet still often productive. Meat breeds are beefy.
Where would you like them to put on weight? Breast muscle or Fat?
Muscle is built with protein, but it won't happen if they aren't genetically predisposed. Body fat on chickens comes from carbs and fats like grains but isn't healthy. It usually is visceral fat around the organs.

we were told California white, andalusian, isabella leghorn, and a mix. we are kinda new to chickens, i guess we were comparing to the hens we already have.

 

[NatJ]

we were told California white, andalusian, isabella leghorn, and a mix. we are kinda new to chickens, i guess we were comparing to the hens we already have.

Those would typically be skinny breeds even when they are in good health.

I would provide a complete chicken feed and let them eat as much as they want. Chickens are pretty good at eating the right amount of feed to meet their own needs. If they are at a healthy weight, it will be a good choice of feed. And if they need to gain weight, it is still a good choice, because they can eat more and get more of everything they need (protein to make muscle, energy to make fat, plus all the vitamins and minerals).

 

[Ejmurd]

Those would typically be skinny breeds even when they are in good health.

I would provide a complete chicken feed and let them eat as much as they want. Chickens are pretty good at eating the right amount of feed to meet their own needs. If they are at a healthy weight, it will be a good choice of feed. And if they need to gain weight, it is still a good choice, because they can eat more and get more of everything they need (protein to make muscle, energy to make fat, plus all the vitamins and minerals).

Ok great. We will continue feeding free choice and let these babies get all they need!

 

[nuthatched]

What are you feeding?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

we were told California white, andalusian, isabella leghorn, and a mix. we are kinda new to chickens, i guess we were comparing to the hens we already have.

As @NatJ said, those are egg breeds. Food goes to egg production, not to body size/girth. Breeds have been developed by genetic selection for different goals. They all evolved from the same species, Gallus Gallus (red jungle fowl)and modern domestic chickens are gallus gallus domesticus.
If you want plump hens, get DP breeds but they probably won't lay as well as your birds.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree, probably the type of birds, not neglect. However, testing a fecal float might be a good idea, parasites can keep birds thin.