I made a mistake

[pdxmelissa]

sorry about your hen!
I agree, you would have had issues down the road with so much fat building.
Hang in there!

Thank you

 

[pdxmelissa]

Of course many of us understand and have total empathy for you

Thank you

 

[Melky]

They normally get regular layer feed, but right now everyone is on flock raiser because we have chicks (they'll be 16 weeks and on later feed in mid November) We keep our kitchen scraps, mostly fruit and veggies, sometime bread, and they get that 1 or 2 times a week. Rarely they get the occasional turkey carcass around the holidays.

They do free range. We have a large pen and from there they can get into our large fenced yard. I'm terrible at estimating sizes, but I would guess it's at least 1/4 acre, if not 1/3.

They swelling had been growing for a while, it just finally got to the point I noticed she was really hesitant to jump off even the lowest roosting bar, and she never ran anywhere.

I have 3 Gold Laced Wyandottes that seem to be chunking up in the same way, but all the rest of the hens (15) are all well balanced. Is it a breed thing?

I would not be giving them any bread. All they need is fresh water, suitable feed, no treats and adequate daily activity. Maybe try this for awhile and see how this goes.

 

[Melky]

Also how much do you feed? A 1/4 lb feed per bird is sufficient per day. I would put this amount out and that is all. A few kitchen scraps is ok but less than 10% of diet. I would still allow to free range.

 

[sourland]

 

[Melky]

Fatty liver and obesity in hens is directly related to the protein. If all your birds will be on layer feed soon then can use 16% protein. I would finish what you have and switch over.

 

[pdxmelissa]

I would not be giving them any bread. All they need is fresh water, suitable feed, no treats and adequate daily activity. Maybe try this for awhile and see how this goes.

Yeah, I have already informed my husband that they're on a strict diet. We were sticking with fruit and veggies only, no more bread/meat/fat.

 

[pdxmelissa]

Also how much do you feed? A 1/4 lb feed per bird is sufficient per day. I would put this amount out and that is all. A few kitchen scraps is ok but less than 10% of diet. I would still allow to free range.

How do I ensure everyone is getting their share? We have 2 feeders so is that enough to keep the top hens from chasing off the lower ones?

 

[pennyJo1960]

Have more than one feeder easy

 

[pdxmelissa]

Fatty liver and obesity in hens is directly related to the protein. If all your birds will be on layer feed soon then can use 16% protein. I would finish what you have and switch over.

I just got two 50lb bags, so that should take us pretty close to the chicks' 16 week mark. I'll be happy to go back to layer, it's so much cheaper.