Best way to fatten up a hen

gritsar

Cows, Chooks & Impys - OH MY!
14 Years
Nov 9, 2007
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SW Arkansas
Lilith (nearly 19 mo. old LF brahma) is dropping weight again. She's always had a problem with this. Worse now because she's molting.
What are some of the foods I can feed her to help her gain weight?
This morning I am going to make her a mixture of scrambled eggs, boiled chicken and bread and mix it all up in the food processor.
When we do the grocery shopping I am going to buy her some macaroni n cheese (her favorite) and some baby food squash.
She won't eat any form of chicken feed.
Other fattening foods?
 
Do you think she would eat any Gamebird Feed if you blend it up with her other food?

My first guess for the best protein would be scrambled eggs. Maybe peanut butter?
 
I haven't found any type of feed she will eat. She also won't eat sunflower seeds. I hesitate to buy a feed that may go to waste, since I can only get it in 50# bags around here. Although, I suppose I could feed it to the rest of the flock.
Lilith swallowed a broken piece of glass a long time ago and has had some problems with her weight ever since.
I can't bring myself to cull her. She doesn't appear to be suffering in any way, she just doesn't have an appetite.
Human food is the way to go with her, but it's hard finding things she likes.
 
Mine love oatmeal and green beans. She might like Malto Meal with maybe some fruit blended up in it.

What about the Rice and Oatmeal Cereal for babies with something added for flavor. They have some that is flavored, but I haven't bought it in so long, I don't know what flavors they have anymore.
 
Oatmeal mixed with just about any type of dairy product.

But it's natural for a hen to lose wait while they are molting. If they are fat at the beginning of the lay cycle they'll get much too fat before the end which will lead to problems.

.....Alan.
 
Have you tried Calf-Manna. It's high in protein and was formulated to help keep critters on feed. If your feed store has it you might be able to get just a little to see if she will eat it. Then if she does you could mix it with the normal feed and then maybe she will go back on it. I use it, it smells great and the chickens love it.
 
Try mixing oatmeal with some yogurt.

Use peanuts for treats if she'll eat those..
 
Thanks for the suggestions y'all. I'll definitely be doing some shopping for her when we go.
I just remembered she loves nilla wafers. I think it's the vanilla in them she's after, so I may experiment.
 
I was going to suggest peanut suet, too! And avocado, boiled eggs, bananas, olives, etc....offer her plenty of cracked corn.
 

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