Are my hens too skinny

[Ext 918]

All of my hens have rather sharp keels. This has been the case their entire lives. They are now approximately 6 and a 1/2 months.

They all have bright eyes, glossy feathers, plenty of energy, are drinking plenty of fresh water, and laying consistently They are on 16% protein layer feed and their appetites are great. They get scratch, black soldier fly larvae, pumpkin, butternut squash, carrots and a variety of fresh herbs as treats.

They seem well muscled on their thighs and legs. They have strong wings and don't seem worse for wear. I took a few stool samples to the vet a week ago, no issues. She is no expert in chickens, but suggested more fat and protein.

Should I bump them up or let them be?

 

[MysteryChicken]

All of my hens have rather sharp keels. This has been the case their entire lives. They are now approximately 6 and a 1/2 months.

They all have bright eyes, glossy feathers, plenty of energy, are drinking plenty of fresh water, and laying consistently They are on 16% protein layer feed and their appetites are great. They get scratch, black soldier fly larvae, pumpkin, butternut squash, carrots and a variety of fresh herbs as treats.

They seem well muscled on their thighs and legs. They have strong wings and don't seem worse for wear. I took a few stool samples to the vet a week ago, no issues. She is no expert in chickens, but suggested more fat and protein.

Should I bump them up or let them be?

What are your chickens? 16% is the bare minimum of protein for just layers, mostly high production Hybrids, & typically they aren't that plump to begin with, as they just get enough nutrients to support their egg lay abilities rather then meat production.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

All of my hens have rather sharp keels. This has been the case their entire lives. They are now approximately 6 and a 1/2 months.

They all have bright eyes, glossy feathers, plenty of energy, are drinking plenty of fresh water, and laying consistently They are on 16% protein layer feed and their appetites are great. They get scratch, black soldier fly larvae, pumpkin, butternut squash, carrots and a variety of fresh herbs as treats.

They seem well muscled on their thighs and legs. They have strong wings and don't seem worse for wear. I took a few stool samples to the vet a week ago, no issues. She is no expert in chickens, but suggested more fat and protein.

Should I bump them up or let them be?

What (specifically) are you feeding them? Brand name, specialty line name, and protein amount.

And what breed are they?

If the vet is suggesting a higher-protein diet, I’d listen.

 

[MysteryChicken]

All of my hens have rather sharp keels. This has been the case their entire lives. They are now approximately 6 and a 1/2 months.

They all have bright eyes, glossy feathers, plenty of energy, are drinking plenty of fresh water, and laying consistently They are on 16% protein layer feed and their appetites are great. They get scratch, black soldier fly larvae, pumpkin, butternut squash, carrots and a variety of fresh herbs as treats.

They seem well muscled on their thighs and legs. They have strong wings and don't seem worse for wear. I took a few stool samples to the vet a week ago, no issues. She is no expert in chickens, but suggested more fat and protein.

Should I bump them up or let them be?

How often do you give those treats?

 

[MysteryChicken]

What (specifically) are you feeding them? Brand name, specialty line name, and protein amount.

And what breed are they?

If the vet is suggesting a higher-protein diet, I’d listen.

Protein amount they're feeding is 16%.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Protein amount they're feeding is 16%.

Oh thanks, I missed that!

Agreed @Ext 918, 16% is used by commercial producers to provide minimum nutrition when they expect to cull the hens at 12-18 months when they can no longer crank out an egg per day. Not a good guideline.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Oh thanks, I missed that!

Agreed @Ext 918, 16% is used by commercial producers to provide minimum nutrition when they expect to cull the hens at 12-18 months when they can no longer crank out an egg per day. Not a good guideline.

Typically production drops at 2yrs.

 

[Ext 918]

What are your chickens? 16% is the bare minimum of protein for just layers, mostly high production Hybrids, & typically they aren't that plump to begin with, as they just get enough nutrients to support their egg lay abilities rather then meat production.

Hoover sold them as RIR. I call them my Rhode Island Redd'ish'

 

[Ext 918]

What (specifically) are you feeding them? Brand name, specialty line name, and protein amount.

And what breed are they?

If the vet is suggesting a higher-protein diet, I’d listen.

Nutrena NatureWise 17%, (they don't love it), mixed with Dumor Organic layer 16% and Dumor Egg Max 16%.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Hoover sold them as RIR. I call them my Rhode Island Redd'ish'View attachment 4214050View attachment 4214053

Yep, Rhode Islands. Won't hurt to put them on a 18% - 20% protein diet, not layer. Just supply oyster shells on the side as a source of calcium for them to regulate themselves.

I would've said Production Reds, but those tend to be a lighter rusty red color variant of RIRs with increased egg production.