Feed question

[kingchickies]

Hi everyone, I have a question for you about feeding. I have 19 6 month olds mixed breeds and 2 are roosters. My BO roo is very large. He's the biggest in the flock, I switched to a higher protein feed because I noticed I could feel his breast bone very prominently a few weeks ago and him being young and still growing I wanted to help him along. He still doesn't crow and doesn't show much interest in the girls and everyone runs him off from any feed or treats. I see him in the coop at the feeder every time he gets a chance all day. I get him off by himself for treats and kinda watch over him so he can eat it. Usually it's scratch, feed, mealworms and a vegetable of some sort. His feathers are disheveled not nicely groomed like everyone else. Is it just because he's young and a growing big boy and he will fill out when he's full grown? Or should I give him something for extra boost? His poops are nice firm well formed, went from a 16% protein to 20% protein. And I don't mean he's big, I mean like a good 5 inches taller than my others which are BO, EE, SLW, and BA. Here's pic of him..

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

6 months is very young for a Orpington. They take at least 2 years to reach full size and to fill out a bit. They are a slower maturing breed. He will fill out eventually and begin to act like a rooster, but it will take longer than some lighter breeds.

 

[kingchickies]

6 months is very young for a Orpington. They take at least 2 years to reach full size and to fill out a bit. They are a slower maturing breed. He will fill out eventually and begin to act like a rooster, but it will take longer than some lighter breeds.

Ok thank you. Are BO roosters usually sooo large? He lays down to eat grass and treats, but our feeder is hanging so he can reach it better. Just wanted to make sure he was normal. Lol

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They are one of the bigger breeds. At his age he should be skinny and running well, so don't try fattening him up, make him run around for those treats. Too much fattening causes health problems and puts stress on his joints.

I have 2 older mature buff Orpington roosters, they are big boys.

 

[kingchickies]

I don't give any of them much treats, just toss a few handfuls of feed mixed with scratch and mealworms sometimes some veggie scraps. I just didn't know at this stage if I needed to give him more than everyone or something extra. He's the only one that seems on the thin side but I know he's so much bigger didn't know if i should be worried or not. Lol thanks for the info!

 

[Alaskan]

If he is low on the pecking order, and the rest of the flock keeps running him.away from the feeder...he can get run down, and maybe even starve to death.

When I have a couple chickens that are clearly that low on the pecking order, I work a bit to make sure they are eating.

First...if you are not sure if he is getting enough, go put after they are perched for the night, and see if his crop is good and big and full. Compare him to the hens if you are not sure.

If his crop is clearly not as full, then you know he is being bullied too much.

When I have a case like that, I put out at least 2 feeders. More feeders make it easier for the super scared or submissive ones to get enough feed.

Ditto on the water.