Fat content of culled hens

[healthyfamof5]

Hi all, I have had chickens for almost 4 years now and have a question about feed. I just had 7 of my older girls sent off to the butcher because they were no longer laying. I am cooking up the meat today for chicken soup but the chicken is very fatty! The whole side had a thick layer of fat. What did I do wrong with feeding them to make them this fatty? I understand the meat will not be moist because of their age and that's why I'm making soup with it. But I plan on getting 15 more chicks soon and if I need to make a feed change, I want to do it now.

I've been feeding them non-gmo pellets, protein at 16%, cracked corn mixed in with occasional treats of dried worms and scraps. They are free range. Any suggestions would be really appreciated!!

Thanks!!

 

[SunHwaKwon]

How much corn and how often?

 

[junebuggena]

It was the cracked corn mixed into the feed. Corn should be fed sparingly as it lowers the overall protein too much. Corn converts easily into energy and if not used will become fat. This is a good thing in cold climates with harsh winters. But giving lots of extra corn in the summer makes for fat birds.

 

[healthyfamof5]

We've been mixing it in since we got the girls, i would say 25% corn to the rest pellets. We're learning as we go with the girls so now I know...not too much cracked corn!

 

[HeritageGoose13]

Don't throw the fat out. You can cook with it. In some cultures it is even spread on bread like butter.

When life gives you chicken fat... make schmaltz!

 

[healthyfamof5]

Thanks all!

 

[HeritageGoose13]

Here's a vid about how to make it:

There's even a whole book about cooking with chicken fat, haha.

Quote:

The Book of Schmaltz: Love Song to a Forgotten Fat by Michael Rulman

 

[bigt447]

Also, when they stopped laying they probably were not burning as much fat so it was added to the body....which is not a bad thing if you want tastier chicken soup.

 

[pdirt]

Also to consider that they were four years old. They naturally had much more time to pack on some fat than an 8-week old Cornish cross. The length of time had as much to do with the fat content as what you were feeding them.