Are My Chickens Too Fat?

[al6517]

They are fine, chickens don't get fat except the meat birds, yours look fine I wouldn't worry they aren't like people who will eat till they have buy extra airline seats LOL.

AL

 

[Tres Amigas]

Easy-peasy if you have a human scale. Just weigh yourself holding the bird and without the bird and subtract. Easier than trying to get any small animal to stay still on a scale by itself. Me, I wouldn't even bother - they look great!

 

[schellie69]

Quote:

To weigh them just get on a scale without the chicken write weight down, then pick up chicken stand on scale write weight down then subtract first number from the 2nd number that is what the chicken weighs. Did this with a extra large hen I had who was 12lbs

 

[Minniechickmama]

Always the yolker, eh, Al?

They look quite healthy, I wouldn't give it a second thought. When they get double wattles, then you got some problems.

 

[ClareScifi]

I sure do appreciate everyone's feedback and weighing suggestions.

Check out this poor leghorn who apparently overate:

http://www.hencam.com/henblog/2011/03/fat-hens/

Clare

 

[Desert Rooster]

It looks like they're saying in the pic " we're not fat, we're just fluffy"

 

[al6517]

Quote:
LOL well Yaaaaa, more fun that way, doncha think.

 

[ClareScifi]

I sure hope they don't have a heart attack or get liver disease. I read that each hen should get only about 1/2 cup of laying feed a day, so I will try to limit them to that. I have cut out the scratch, brown rice, & strawberries for now. I have only the 2 chickens, so they don't get competition from a big flock, food-wise.

I am going to try to let them out very early each day and let them put themselves to bed, so they can get all the free-ranging exercise possible. Unfortunately, it's supposed to be quite stormy here for the next 3 days, so they'll be cooped up.

I am also keeping the cats' food out of their reach. They used to munch on it when I wasn't looking! Maybe they made themselves fat from stealing from the cats. That thought allays my guilt for giving them too much scratch, a little bit. :>) Poor Phat Girls.

 

[ClareScifi]

Quote:
LOL well Yaaaaa, more fun that way, doncha think.

Eggsactly! You crack me up!

 

[Minniechickmama]

Read some of my posts here, you will know I don't take a whole lot too seriously.

Back on topic...
I feed my flock lay mash (17 % protein). They free range, for the time being. They have feed available all of the time. None of them look fat or remotely overweight. If they are active and lay eggs, they need it. Even my roos don't gorge themselves on feed, but you should see when they come back from foraging around the property! I wonder if that hen is even a Leghorn? I think at the least she is a cross. I have never seen a Leghorn that big, and she is big, not really fat. Maybe she IS a Rock or maybe has some Cornish in her with the chest I am seeing, and those LEGS. Chicken legs don't get fat. Those are hefty, stout legs.