How to tell if your chicken is at a healthy weight???

[Wyleiria]

Hello!! I have two pullets that are about 5 months old- one a black astrolorp and the other a production red. They are free range, but also have automatic feeders in their coop, so they have endless supply of both egg layer crumbles and hen scratch. The problem is, when I pick either one of them up, they feel awfully underweight to me. Their sternums seem very easily felt and they just don't feel as fat as they should. I feed them treats in the afternoon, but they will only eat it when I hand feed them, and not if I toss it on the ground

. These are just for pets/eggs. Is there any magical food that will fatten them up, or am I just overreacting?

We also have a HUGE amount of grasshoppers this year, and the chickens seem to not be interested in them anymore. I even threw them one this afternoon that was hurt, and they both just looked at it, cocked their heads, and did their chicken "growl" talk. They both act healthy, and will eat scratch on the ground, but almost seem to get bored of it. Also, when I come home and feel their crops, they feel empty until I give them treats, which is usually a piece of bread split between them. I will give them leftover fruits and veggies, but again they seem to get bored of it and usually my dogs finish them up if they are out there for a few days...

 

[chfite]

If there is a continuously available supply of food for them, they should be fine. I cannot imagine that an animal would not eat adequately with food readily available.

Chris

 

[Irishhenman]

If you are really worried about them try some of these foods

whole barley or rolled maize, these grains are fattening and might put some wight on them, all of my birds prefer these to pellets too.

layers mash is good if the birds seem uninterested in dry food, or just mix some of your layers pellets or crumbles with water and feed it in a trough or bowl

my hens love mashed potatoes

try some live food in their diet like mealworms from the pet shop

 

[wsmith]

As a chicken grows an matures, they are still developing their bone structure, and don't appear "filled out" Think of how a gangly teenager looks.

Each breed recognized by the American Poultry Association is listed in the "Standard of Perfection" book that the APA publishes. This tells you what each breed is supposed to look like, how much they should weigh, etc. Most breed clubs have their breed's SoP available. Look up your breeds and find out what the weights are supposed to be when mature. The production Red isn't a recognized Breed, if I remember correctly, so it won't be listed.

Most chickens (every one that I have seen) will self regulate when it comes to food. Most won't overeat, or undereat when there is enough food available. If a chicken is sick, then the bird may be underweight, but if yours are acting healthy, eating normally, and doing what chickens do, then i wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Wyleiria]

Thanks everyone!