My two lowest ranked pullets are getting thin. I think they are being bullied from feed. Here are our details:
3 - second year hens
6 - first year pullets
Run: 10x16 plus 12x8 (conjoined runs)
Coop: 5x5 plus 3x5 (conjoined coops) plus an additionL mini pen/coop at 3x5 (so total daytime living space when confined to run is close to 290 sqare feet).
Now that the days are short, they only get (supervised) free range time on weekends, several hours both days on about 1.5 acres.
Diet: consists of organic layer crumble at 16% protein. I keep one feeder in each run, so both are available to nine birds.
Hardly any treats at all lately (a tiny bit of scratch if I get home from work before dark, plus got live mealworms yesterday when I noticed skinniness.) I’ve been too busy/lazy/disorganized to sprout wheatberries, which is a favorite winter treat when they’re confined to the run.
Thoughts? Are they getting everything they need? Why aren’t the higher ranked girls letting them eat? Should I provide more feeding stations? There are several water stations.
Thoughts and advice would be appreciated. I feel terrible for this sweet natured girl to be starving when the rest of them are so robust. I don’t think she is sick, but fear she will become so if she is malnourished. Thanks in advance for your help!
3 - second year hens
6 - first year pullets
Run: 10x16 plus 12x8 (conjoined runs)
Coop: 5x5 plus 3x5 (conjoined coops) plus an additionL mini pen/coop at 3x5 (so total daytime living space when confined to run is close to 290 sqare feet).
Now that the days are short, they only get (supervised) free range time on weekends, several hours both days on about 1.5 acres.
Diet: consists of organic layer crumble at 16% protein. I keep one feeder in each run, so both are available to nine birds.
Hardly any treats at all lately (a tiny bit of scratch if I get home from work before dark, plus got live mealworms yesterday when I noticed skinniness.) I’ve been too busy/lazy/disorganized to sprout wheatberries, which is a favorite winter treat when they’re confined to the run.
Thoughts? Are they getting everything they need? Why aren’t the higher ranked girls letting them eat? Should I provide more feeding stations? There are several water stations.
Thoughts and advice would be appreciated. I feel terrible for this sweet natured girl to be starving when the rest of them are so robust. I don’t think she is sick, but fear she will become so if she is malnourished. Thanks in advance for your help!