How can I tell if my chicken is skinny? Also about my new chickens breed

[H&Hchickens]

How can I tell if Hope of Hazel is skinny? I can't really seem to tell, but I'm not super worried, just wondering because they eat every day. Recently one of my 4-month-old chicks (Hazel is the alive one) got eaten and I got a new chicken named Hope 2 weeks and two days ago. So I researched and it seems like she is a White Plymouth Rock hen, and she has brown eggs, but I'm not entirely sure.

 

[MagpieDucks]

How can I tell if Hope of Hazel is skinny? I can't really seem to tell, but I'm not super worried, just wondering because they eat every day. Recently one of my 4-month-old chicks (Hazel is the alive one) got eaten and I got a new chicken named Hope 2 weeks and two days ago. So I researched and it seems like she is a White Plymouth Rock hen, and she has brown eggs, but I'm not entirely sure.

What makes you think hope is skinny?? If she is eating everyday and her poop is normal I wouldn't be too worried. Also, egg color isn't based on the color of the bird. It is based on earlobe color. ( ) Brown egg laying breeds have red earlobes and white egg laying breeds have white. (With the exception of dorkings, redcaps, ameraucanas, araucana's etc.)

 

[H&Hchickens]

Yes, I know it is from the earlobes! I was just wondering, and the same thing with Hope or Hazel being skinny, I was just wondering how to tell just in case.

 

[annageckos]

Earlobe color doesn't dictate egg color. It's more coincidental. You could end up with a mix breed chicken with white earlobes that lays brown eggs.

 

[allosaurusrock]

Earlobe color doesn't dictate egg color. It's more coincidental. You could end up with a mix breed chicken with white earlobes that lays brown eggs.

Anna is correct. If you post pictures we may be able to identify the breeds. (They might just be skinny breeds.)

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Pick her up. If she feels bone thin with ribs sticking out and a strong keel bone jutting out from her breast, she is too thin. Also look at her vent...if her pelvic bones are sticking out strongly, she is too thin.

You should be able to feel the keel bone easily, but it should have some padding around so that there is something on the ribs. Good layers are lean but not bone thin.

If she is a butterball, barely able to feel the keel bone, or lots of padding on those ribs, she is too fat. That is highly unlikely unless you've been feeding something other than layer feed (like a high protein and fat diet such as gamebirds or turkey feed).

Some breeds are heftier than others, and will weigh more than others due to overall size and shape, but I find rib and keel bone a pretty good indicator.

LofMc

 

[drumstick diva]

x 2

 

[debid]

X3. You can tell a lot by handling the bird.

How old is this new arrival? Where did you get her?

Many chicken breeds and mixes can have white feathers. Photos and more information would allow others to help you identify her breed. Also, understand that if she came from a farm with an assortment of chickens running together, she's almost certainly a mix.

 

[H&Hchickens]

Anna is correct. If you post pictures we may be able to identify the breeds. (They might just be skinny breeds.)

Alright! I'll try...

 

[H&Hchickens]

Pick her up. If she feels bone thin with ribs sticking out and a strong keel bone jutting out from her breast, she is too thin. Also look at her vent...if her pelvic bones are sticking out strongly, she is too thin.

You should be able to feel the keel bone easily, but it should have some padding around so that there is something on the ribs. Good layers are lean but not bone thin.

If she is a butterball, barely able to feel the keel bone, or lots of padding on those ribs, she is too fat. That is highly unlikely unless you've been feeding something other than layer feed (like a high protein and fat diet such as gamebirds or turkey feed).

Some breeds are heftier than others, and will weigh more than others due to overall size and shape, but I find rib and keel bone a pretty good indicator.

LofMc

Great!! Thank you so much