How do I help my chickens gain weight?

[awesome124]

I have four chickens. Two of them are under weight and I want them to be a little plump and healthy. They have sufficient feed and scratch. I also let them free range for 5 hours a day. What can I feed them to help them gain weight?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Just keep feeding them their layer feed. Too much scratch and other treats can cause damage to their inner organs and make them sick. So remember that treats should only take up 10% of their daily diet.

You may try moistening their feed.

 

[woody1]

If they've got daylong access to layer feed and water they're doing fine. I assume you are raising layers. Given they have good feed, they will eat what they need. Do not give them full access to scratch, only what they'll clean up in say 15 minutes or less. We throw a little scratch around in the evenings when we're gathering eggs and that's all they normally get except layer crumbles, water, table scraps, and whatever they scrounge up. Regards, Woody

 

[RJSorensen]

I would be interested to know what breed these birds are, as well as how old they might be? Are you offering (what type of feed) free choice 24/7, and just how much scratch are you feeding the birds per day. Do you have worms in your flock, or other bugs feeding off of the affected birds?

If the two are of the same age and type, yet are found to be thin, you might do well to look for unwanted hosts living in and or on your chickens.

Best to you and your birds,

RJ

 

[chickenhound]

What you are feeding your birds depends on what age they are. If they are laying eggs, they should be on layer pellets or layer mash which is 16% to 18% protein. They should also have some oyster grit on the side for extra calcium if they need it. If your birds are younger they should be on a starter or grower feed, usually 24% or higher protein.

 

[yogabbagirl]

When i changed their feed to flockraiser and give them extra protein treats daily like mealworms or chicken bonbons(ground dogfoot or wet catfood mixed with carrots. Scrambled egg. Yogurt. Rolled in dry oatmeal), mine gained weight in a week. This was after worming and corid for coccidosis. Tomorrow i am starting fermented feed with flockraiser and oatmeal. Had one two mos old chick less than a pound. She is no longer the runt! Good luck!