Low weight birds

[Cati]

I have had to bring my chickens to the vet twice (dog attack and hawk attack) and both times the vets said the chickens were underweight. I have Layena feed (used both pellets and crumbles) in their feeder all day, and bring out treats at least three times a day--oatmeal, raisins, bananas, noodles, etc. They are mostly free range (out 75% of the day in a large fenced yard), are one year old, and each lay an egg every day--even through the winter with no additional light. They are active and seem happy. Should I worry about it? Any idea how to put weight on a chicken? Thanks.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Quote:

My chickens don't like layer pellets that much, so I started making mash! I get a bowl or what ever you are going to make mash in, and you put some pellets layer crumble, whatever in the bowl. Then you put warm water in the bowl. I put enough water in there so it covers the pellets. Then once the pellets soak up all the water you can add: scratch, greens, hay, what ever you want!!! You can even give it to them just plain! Good luck! If you have any more questions fill free to pm me!

 

[Cati]

Thanks--I'll give that a try this morning!

 

[Chauntecleer]

I am doing much the same as Fluffy Puffy, I add warm water to Layena crumble and add treats then and during the day when forage might be scarce. They seem happy enough, however, they do look a little on the light side and egg production is down in winter months. Had a red-tail hawk hit one of my hens, but my Austrolorpe rooster, Pecorino got right in that hawks face and peppered his head with savage beak pecks preventing the hawk from making the kill. Wish I had a pic or video of that hawk incident. The hen recovered and is my best layer. All five of my hens love Pecorino and follow him around and stay close him.

 

[Cati]

Thanks for the hint; I think the water helped this morning and it makes sense because they like hot oatmeal, too, and it must be sort of the same consistency as that. Maybe being lighter isn't so bad and, frankly, neither emergency vet I went to had a clue about chickens; they just took us in because we were desperate. What a wild story about the hawk--I'm so glad it turned out well; must be nice to have a rooster. I have considered getting a rooster but have no idea what that entails. Is it terribly loud early in the morning? If you lock them in a coop is it still loud? Don't you just end up with tons of chicks? I can only keep so many because I'm on an urban lot and I'm pretty sure I would have a difficult time giving away baby chicks!

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

So do your birds like the mash Cati?

 

[Cati]

yes. They ate it all! I am excited to see if it puts some weight on them!

 

[PandoraTaylor]

You only end up with baby chicks if
1. you don't gather the eggs daily
2. you have a hen go broody and sit the ungathered eggs
3. You incubate them in a incubator

Otherwise you just have fertile eggs, which taste no different than unfertilized eggs. Most people would never know the difference.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I'm so happy for you Cati!!!!! Keep me updated it they get any weight or not! Best of luck!