Getting Thinner?

[lmdengler]

So I am wondering if my girls are getting thinner? They definitely don’t look as Poofy as they did in the non-winter months. Their feeder isn’t always full and water is always available since I have a heated water font. They “look” thinner. Is there something going different I should give them? It’s so cold here and I am wondering if all their energy is going into keeping warm and they are losing weight as a result. All are laying - except 1 and she has NEVER laid an egg. She just live large .

 

[Welshies]

We need some more information in order to help.
What are you feeding? What type of feed and what percentage of protein does it have?
How many treats do you feed?
How often are they fed? How long do they go without food for?
Are their wattles and combs pale?

 

[K3nzi3]

Are they molting? Birds can molt when it is cold too. They could be eating less because of the weather as well. How old are they?

 

[nanette7fl]

Hi I've had chickens for most of the past 20 years. In the winter I add scratch to the feed. In my humbleop inion this adds "bulk" and provides for more energy. It takes a lot of calories to stay warm. It also adds fat to their bodies. Here in Florida it's been so unusually cold that I've been feeding them 3 grain scratch 3 x's a day and they're still laying eggs.

 

[Welshies]

Hi I've had chickens for most of the past 20 years. In the winter I add scratch to the feed. In my humbleop inion this adds "bulk" and provides for more energy. It takes a lot of calories to stay warm. It also adds fat to their bodies. Here in Florida it's been so unusually cold that I've been feeding them 3 grain scratch 3 x's a day and they're still laying eggs.

I'm not trying to infringe on your post...
But, scratch is a "treat", not a feed. Laying birds should be given 18-22% all flock, grower, or maintenance feed with a free-choice side of oystershell. Then, treats should comprise no more than 10% of all feed given.

 

[Folly's place]

"Cold' and Florida' don't actually combine well, when you live further north in the snow belt! -20F is cold! My birds get Flock Raiser and separate oyster shell, and some scratch occasionally as a treat. I'm not cheapening their diet because it's cold outside! And I'm not interested in having issues with fatty liver, either.
Mary

 

[Welshies]

"Cold' and Florida' don't actually combine well, when you live further north in the snow belt! -20F is cold! My birds get Flock Raiser and separate oyster shell, and some scratch occasionally as a treat. I'm not cheapening their diet because it's cold outside! And I'm not interested in having issues with fatty liver, either.
Mary

Agreed! -40F is cold too!

 

[nanette7fl]

I fre5range all my birds and what I feed is what told to feed by other local chicken farmers. I wish we had better feeds available but within 50 miles of me this is what they along with a very good pelletized feed thst is 20% protein. We don't feed oyster shell because it's available in the sandy soil..in 20 years I've never had a sick bird and my eggs have shells anyone would be proud of. My birds all molt just fine and generally they are a very happy lot.

 

[Welshies]

I fre5range all my birds and what I feed is what told to feed by other local chicken farmers. I wish we had better feeds available but within 50 miles of me this is what they along with a very good pelletized feed thst is 20% protein. We don't feed oyster shell because it's available in the sandy soil..in 20 years I've never had a sick bird and my eggs have shells anyone would be proud of. My birds all molt just fine and generally they are a very happy lot.

That's awesome then!
Just keep in mind treats should not comprise more than 10% of all feed fed

 

[lmdengler]

So I am wondering if my girls are getting thinner? They definitely don’t look as Poofy as they did in the non-winter months. Their feeder isn’t always full and water is always available since I have a heated water font. They “look” thinner. Is there something going different I should give them? It’s so cold here and I am wondering if all their energy is going into keeping warm and they are losing weight as a result. All are laying - except 1 and she has NEVER laid an egg. She just live large .

A correction here the feeder is ALWAYS full!! In fact I have a feeder and a snack tray full of oats and sunflower seeds and scratch mix. I feel awful that y’all think I’m nit feeding them all they want !! They are most spoiled!