Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Speaking of that, maybe @BY Bob has some suggestions. 6 went to freezer camp today, a young drake ('extra') and 5 older hens. 2 of them had so much fat on them, I could literally peel it off the inside of their skin/belly in one huge hunk! I don't know what to do to keep them healthier. They, for the most part, get only feed & free range. Lately I've been giving them a warm mash in the mornings - it consists of their pellets, chopped veggies ( partially cooked), and once a week a bit of kefir added in. They haven't had scratch grains most of the summer ( only once or twice when I needed them to come in early from free ranging), and I have been giving them some now that it is cold only on the coldest nights, so not very often. When I do, they only get about 3 cups worth (remember, I have almost 130 animals...so that is only one cup for about 40 birds...at 30cc/ounce, so 240 cc per cup, that is only about 6 cc per bird, or 1/5th of an ounce volume wise - so not very much.

Yes, they were higher in the pecking order, those two...but the fat was 1/2 in thick pad! yikes! I don't know what to do! They do get free choice feed. until recently, I would let them run out around 2 pm & refill feeders when I got home from work...but the last few weeks, it is dark shortly after 4 pm, the time I'm getting home, so I make sure they have plenty of feed so they don't go to bed hungry..... especially with the cold

I'm not sure what to say. That doesn't make any sense to me. What breed were they?

 

[BY Bob]

Her pantaloons from feet to wings are as long as her wings to back! A grand lady.

With new feathers she is fantastic. I just love her coloring this time of year.

 

[BY Bob]

My guess is that 2 out of 5 seems pretty good. All things being equal (hard to account for pecking order and better access to feed) this could be attributable to predisposition / genetics. Seems to me you're doing pretty well.

I believe that the modem laying hen is genetically predisposed to be over weight. That could account for some of the fat. That's why I asked what breed.

 

[BY Bob]

all different. 1 dark cornish (not fat) 1barred Rock (fat), one marans cross, 1 BR X ? (VERY FAT), and cuckoo marans cross.

So the barred rocks were fat. Are these heritage or fake barred rocks?

 

[TX Chick Noob]

Silly girl…..why are you so close to the end of the roost that your wing is hanging down????

Caturday news flash! Any of you in the US that have cats and give Hartz brand cats treats, Chewy has a promo going until the 15th. Use code Hartz40 for 40% off up to 4 packages. I just saved $51 on the 30-packs of Delectables Bisque treats!

 

[RoyalChick]

Yes, leaves and all can take the zap out. Any way a raccoon can drop down in (ninja northern drop bears)?

I think ninja raccoon is the most likely. Scary!

 

[ValarieF]

 

[Marie2020]

She sparkles!

Such a change I really don't know why

 

[Marie2020]

I'm finding it really hard too use this site for some reason this morning I couldn't even add a picture.

It's snowing a little today maybe thats why

 

[Marie2020]