Hen eating a lot

[Shelly123456]

I have a 3 year old hen who just eats a ton of food and stand still or sit down most of the day. I have also noticed that she has gained a lot of weight the past few day and I let my chicken free range for about 5 hours a day.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Pictures?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have a 3 year old hen who just eats a ton of food and stand still or sit down most of the day. I have also noticed that she has gained a lot of weight the past few day and I let my chicken free range for about 5 hours a day.

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

What type of hen, what feed, what's a lot? How much does she weigh?

Get a fecal float to test for internal parasites. And make sure your feeder isn't left open for free loaders.

Hope she is well!

 

[Shelly123456]

Pictures?

Here’s a picture

 

[Lovem all]

Do you have chick feed available throughout the day? My girls get feed 3 times a day (I throw out feed to them)

 

[Shelly123456]

Do you have chick feed available throughout the day? My girls get feed 3 times a day (I throw out feed to them)

Yes I do, the other chickens are acting fine but it’s just that one hen that is do it. Also, I forgot to mention that she tends to distance herself by staying in the coop by herself. when I free range them, the hen prefers to be on her own as well.

 

[Lovem all]

maybe she just doesn't get along well with the others. Is she a different breed or age? She doesn't seem very over weight from that picture. Just a big girly.

 

[GC-Raptor]

She looks healthy.
Feed consumption changes during the year. More in the winter, less in the summer.
Anywhere from a half cup to 7/8 cup.
My chickens have access to feed all day.
Are you in the southern hemisphere?
What type of feed?

the hen prefers to be on her own as well.

That's not uncommon. If it's new behavior, then she could have an issue. But feed consumption usually drops. GC

 

[Shelly123456]

She looks healthy.
Feed consumption changes during the year. More in the winter, less in the summer.
Anywhere from a half cup to 7/8 cup.
My chickens have access to feed all day.
Are you in the southern hemisphere?
What type of feed?

That's not uncommon. If it's new behavior, then she could have an issue. But feed consumption usually drops. GC

No, I’m from the northern hemisphere and I use Allen and Page Layers Crumble.

 

[aart]

Is she laying?
Have you checked her crop function and poops(see below)?
When I had a bird with impacted and sour crop, she was gorging on feed.
Had to isolate her to treat it.

When I have a bird that is acting off I isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so I can closely monitor their intake of food and water, crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed), and their poops. Feel their abdomen, from below vent to between legs, for squishy or hard swelling. Check for external parasites or any other abnormalities.

Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.