Help, very skinny hen

[BuffBrahmaBantams]

Hi, I have a Brahma hen who is extremely skinny, this is just the way she is, but her keel is so easy to feel, it looks like the underside of a cruise ship, any tips to help her gain some weight in a healthy way. She eats 16% protein layer feed and has scratch and plenty of water. This isn’t life threatening to her, I just want her to look better for some upcoming shows.

She isn’t sick, she has been this way since I got her 5 months ago, and she eats fine.

 

[WingItRanch]

Try increasing her protein. Instead of layer feed, get her some 20% all flock feed and just provide oyster shell free choice in a separate dish. Cut out the scratch and just give her the 20% feed. The scratch is just filler and the feed is balanced with the appropriate nutrients.

 

[NanaK]

Do you know if she was treated for worms?

Worms can be a reason for an animal to not gain weight.

 

[BuffBrahmaBantams]

Do you know if she was treated for worms?

Worms can be a reason for an animal to not gain weight.

From what I know, she hasn’t, how can I get rid of potential worms

 

[NanaK]

I use valbazen. I give .5ml for a 5-6 lb hen. Repeat in 10 days.

I buy it at the feed store.

 

[BuffBrahmaBantams]

I use valbazen. I give .5ml for a 5-6 lb hen. Repeat in 10 days.

I buy it at the feed store.

Thanks

 

[NanaK]

Your welcome.

Good luck at the shows! Welcome to BYC!

 

[Al Gerhart]

Worm her and the others for sure if you haven never done it. I'd do it twice a year unless the flock showed signs of weight loss.

To fatten her up, feed her bread and milk. High in carbs and protein, easy to digest, and most chickens will devour it.

 

[Bawkbok]

I agree with WingitRanch's comments. The increase in protein should help. Protein from mealworms and other snacks and scratch are not healthy in large quantities. Try some boiled chicken, scrambled eggs, or mash - which is just some feed with warm water to make it a soft pasty consistency.

 

[BuffBrahmaBantams]

Worm her and the others for sure if you haven never done it. I'd do it twice a year unless the flock showed signs of weight loss.

To fatten her up, feed her bread and milk. High in carbs and protein, easy to digest, and most chickens will devour it.

I have given both of my chickens dewormer. Thank you for the protein suggestions. I will try it and report back