How sharp should the keel bone feel?

[honeydoll]

I feel the keel bone in mine too. Don't know why. Maybe some just are like that. I have tried everything with mine and have added cracked corn as well. I cut out most treats other than cat food. Mine look and act healthy I don't get it. Very frustrating to do everything well and end up with skinny chickens.

 

[technodoll]

I guess we just have Paris-runway models in our coop?

 

[Chic Chick]

I don't see anywhere where you told us the breeds of your chickens, or how old they are either...that can have bearing on whether they have meat on their bones or not.

 

[BarkerChickens]

Just for comparison...Mine free-range (with feed in their coop and run), so they are pretty active and lean. I can feel the keel bone , but I can't pinch it as if there was no meat. There chests are more V shaped than plump, but I can't feel the sides of the bone.

Just a thought...Piperzine only kills roundworms, right? Could they have another type of parasite of they are all skinny, but clearly getting enough food. Such as mites, tape worms, gape worms, etc?

edited to add: my chickens are all dual-purpose breeds, so they have a little more meat than a laying-only breed, but much less than meat birds. Mine all range form 9 mos to 2 yrs old.

I agree with Chic Chick that breed and age may help.

 

[technodoll]

Well.... it's complicated and I didn't want to bore you with the details but here goes:

I have 11 sexlink hens which range in age from 7 to 20 months old (8 are laying), as well as 5 silkies (3 are about 10 months old, 3 are 5 months old), 1 sultan pullet who is 7 months old and laying, 2 cochin pullets about 5 months old, 1 LF brahma pullet 3.5 months old and another one 2.5 months old, and an EE cockerel about 3.5 months old, not sure, and another one who is sick and about 5 months old. Whew.

I know it's normal for the youngsters to not be filled out yet, but it's the adults I'm concerned about.

The flock adults free-ranged up until the first snowfall about 5 weeks ago, they now just hang out in the coop waiting for spring. They are all fairly laid-back and eat like little piggies, they seem healthy otherwise - no sign of any parasites or anything.

I probably just worry too much!