Breast Bones Prominent in my Hens

[Sparkleyhead]

I have a year old Buff Orpington and a ten month EE and both of their breast bones are very prominent. I feed southern states laying hen pellet which they have constant access too. Everyone was wormed a month ago and all 8 chickens (rooster and 5 pullets) share a 100 square feet run full of grass and bugs. I also feed cracked corn in the winter. I don't like how prominent their breast bones are and I want to know if there is any way I can fill them out or if that is normal for birds that exercise a lot. They love running everywhere and hopping in and out of the raised flower beads. And neither one is light. They are very solid. Any advice?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Have you had a fecal sample read to see if the worming was effective?

100 sq. ft. for 8 birds isn't a lot but as long as they have a good food available that's not a big deal.
Breast muscle, which is what is lacking with a prominent keel bone, comes from protein rather than carbs and fat.
Aside from a parasite issue, you may try to up the protein with some fish or meat meal.

 

[One Chick Two]

Also, BOSS, and occasional scrambled eggs with yogurt with apple bits, and a small amount of oatmeal mixed in. Our chickens can't resist this.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

BOSS is about 15% protein.
Eggs are about 12% protein.
Yogurt can be from 12 to 17% protein.
Though those things are extremely high in vitamins, minerals and other benefits aren't high in protein as compared to chicken feed. Animal protein or legumes are higher.

 

[pawtraitart]

I have a year old Buff Orpington and a ten month EE and both of their breast bones are very prominent. I feed southern states laying hen pellet which they have constant access too. Everyone was wormed a month ago and all 8 chickens (rooster and 5 pullets) share a 100 square feet run full of grass and bugs. I also feed cracked corn in the winter. I don't like how prominent their breast bones are and I want to know if there is any way I can fill them out or if that is normal for birds that exercise a lot. They love running everywhere and hopping in and out of the raised flower beads. And neither one is light. They are very solid. Any advice?

I recommend a pro-biotic to help them make the most of their feed. I use Gro2Max. It really helps with feed conversion.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I recommend a pro-biotic to help them make the most of their feed. I use Gro2Max. It really helps with feed conversion.

Good point.
I use the same product.

 

[Sparkleyhead]

Thanks everyone for the great advice! Woops... I just realized that I REALLY can't do math. They don't have 100 square feet , they have 1,935 square feet. Plus an area I sectioned off this winter. So they probably have closer to 2,500 square feet to frolic about in. Much bigger area haha. My apologizes.

I really like the idea of a probiotic. I am also investigating a new feed tomorrow that my neighbor uses. All of her ladies are nice and plump. And I hope that wormer worked. I used Strongid Paste, a horse wormer.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

No problem. When you said they had forage of greens and bugs and that it was 100 sq. ft., I suspected it was a miscalculation.

As for worming, there are many species of worms and specific anthelmintics for each. Some are broad spectrum but it's best to have a fecal tested so you can target the specific worms your chickens have - if any.

 

[Sparkleyhead]

That is a good idea. I will see if our vet does this. I also ordered the Grow2Max yesterday. I don't know why I didn't think about that because we use it for the horses. Hopefully with the probiotic and potentially a new feed with more protein in it, I will have happier healthier birds.