best way to fatten a hen up

[rollkeeg877]

i got a ameraucana hen who needs to gain some pounds I've been giving her corn and pop corn kernels with some smashed egg shell what else can i give her.

 

[Kevin565]

What type of feed are you using besides the treats?

 

[DURR]

Try fermenting her feed, I started it a week ago and can see a good differance in them already! Their feathers are healthier looking and they've put on about a pound or two since.

 

[rollkeeg877]

well i just got them today and the hen is kinda skinny and she needs to be fattened up I'm using laying mash for everybody

 

[DURR]

You can separate her also so she can eat more without having to worry about the others chasing her away from the feeder or scratch. But I have a american game fowl hen that was skinny when I kept her in with a rooster by herself. He pushed her away from the feed all the time. But since I put her in with my other layers and started feeding them fermented feed she and everyone else looked noticeably healthier. With fermenting feed it helps break it down by releasing good bacteria in the feed and bringing out the essential nutrients. Which makes the feed more digestable.

 

[rollkeeg877]

i have my hen with the rooster he loves her a lot it seems cause when i put the food in he was clucking and trying to push her literally over to the food then when she started to eat he ate with her and this is all happening in a cage the rooster is the best rooster i have ever had he is so kind he's gonna be a great daddy when i hatch her chicks and these are the ameraucanas i just got today the lady said he's kinda shinny so i said well she will be fine with me cause I've done this before but i want to make sure i do it right cause these birds are kinda hard to find so i love them a lot

 

[DURR]

Ok well then she should do fine just make sure she eats, but you can still try to ferment their feed. There's a thread somewhere on here about how to do it with layer. I ferment my scratch grains and they love it!

 

[rollkeeg877]

what do you mean by fermenting sorry to ask does it mean to let it rot a bit correct me if I'm wrong

 

[DURR]

Technically yes but no at the same time. You can take a two-bucket system to do this. Leave on bucket whole and the second bucket drill holes (small holes for layer) all around it and the bottom. Place just enough feed to feed for two days cover feed with water and add either un-pasterized apple cider vinager, natural apple juice, or brown sugar to help begin the fermenting. With layer you want it to be about the thickness of oatmeal. Strain it before you feed it though.

Here's the thread that'll explain it better.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds/0_10

 

[rollkeeg877]

thanks that will help