Food for putting weight on sickly chickens

[veganloraine]

We have 6 rescued spent hens. They have been through a lot and their bodies and minds are finally starting to heal from their lives in battery cages. Some of them are really really thin and I was wondering if there were certain foods I could feed them to put a bit of weight on their bodies. We are not eating them - ever, but want them to be as healthy as they can be. Any feeding advice would be appreciated.

 

[naturalfeddogs]

I would think some extra kitchen scraps maybe like bread might work. You probably don't want to give them too much extras to keep from unbalancing the regular diet. Maybe look at the fat content of feed in your area, and a few kitchen scraps added. I'm no expert at all, but its just my first thaught.

It seems like battery hens probably don't get the most quality food in the world so just a good healthy diet overall should help. JMO.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

The best food you can give them is scrambled eggs. They prob have trimmed beaks from the battery and this would be easiest and highly nutrious.

 

[devora]

Yeah, eggs are great for them. If you wanna sweeten the deal (and up the fat) coat the eggs in sour cream. They will LOVE you.

Good luck w/ nursing 'em all back to happy land.

 

[veganloraine]

Thank you all for the great advice. They actually do have their beaks, but some of them are overgrown. Hoping the peck peck pecking will wear them down a bit. We feed them back several of their eggs, usually raw. Will look into adding some sour cream. Thank you!

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Caution flag on the raw egg going up...I don't know how true it is but some say it can encourage egg eating as if an egg should break, but also if they are run down cooking will eliminate any bacteria in the raw part. Besides it's not as messy and hard to clean up.

 

[CluckyJay]

Just don't let them see that it was an egg. If its mixed in their usual feed, they'll be fine.

 

[veganloraine]

We don't care if they eat their own eggs. We took them in to improve the quality of their lives. If eating their own eggs does that, we are okay with it.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Well and good for you, some lucky chickens there.