fat chickens

[cary 1973]

how do you know if your chickens are over weight?

 

[Gallusfarm]

What breed do you have?

1. weigh them, each breed has weight standards.

2. Assuming you are not speaking of meat birds, run after them, see if they take off. If they can run or take flight, they are not overweight.

 

[cary 1973]

2 Leg horns 1 mystery bird (same body as leg horns) and 1 buff orphington

yes the birds run and they fly my bo don't fly to great but she can get up on a 2 foot wall.

 

[Gallusfarm]

the leghorns are supposed to be skinny. The orpington probably just looks fat compared to them. I'd say they are all fine

 

[Blue]

I have 2 buff orps, and their normal look is pretty hefty looking. A lot of that is probabably feathers, though. If they are acting normal and active, then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Laying hens are very good at regulating their own feed intake and rarely (I'd say never, but there's always a few outliers that would trip me up) get fat. Feel your chicken's chest--there is a bone sticking out there called the keel bone. If it's sticking out, your chicken is not overweight. If it sticks out a lot, your bird is underweight.

You should not restrict feed to laying hens--they should have all they can eat instead of being fed a set amount the way you'd feed a dog or a horse. Any disruptions in their feed can cause them to lay poorly.

 

[roostersandhens]

Each breed has a weight. Look up how much the Buffs should weigh and then check Leghorns. Weigh ure birds and see if they are in the range. I think Buff hens shouldnt get over 6 pounds I THINK!