Are my girls obese?

[dmartin101]

One of our Silver Laced Wyandottes died this week from fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (per necropsy by state vet lab).

So now I’m worried about the rest of the girls. I’ve checked and can easily feel and lightly pinch the keel on all of them.

I’ve cut out all treats. I didn’t think they were getting excessive treats - maybe 2-3 times a week at most. But now they’re only getting layer pellets and what they find when I let them out of the coop.

I’m increasing the amount of time they’re out of the coop so they can get more exercise. They were out about an hour a day - I’m trying to at least double that plus more on the weekends.

They’re 11 months old SLW and Speckled Sussex. They’re in a coop with a covered run with almost 20 sq ft per bird.

Any other suggestions on what to do to prevent this?

Photos taken at about 2:00 so they’re crops are fuller but I can still easily feel the keels.

 

[pennyJo1960]

No allot too fat. Mine gets treat like a small amount a month or every few weeks
beyond their food.

 

[Isadora]

They don't sound too heavy to me. Here's a chart that shows the ideal amount of flesh you should feel on either side of the keel.

 

[Paz]

They look ok to me. Let them have greens instead of what you give them as treats. Hopefully the dead one just had some inborne problem

 

[Sammster]

I'm just seeing this. So sorry about your girl. Your flock is beautiful!

The keel chart is very helpful. Thank you Isadora.