Malnourished Hen?

[VictorVictoria]

I have a light Brahma hen who is pretty skinny compared with the rest of the flock. I have all hens, three light Brahma and six Easter edgers. The all get along perfectly, it’s a good social group of happy hens. I do notice, however, that one of the light Brahma hens is pretty skinny compared to the others. Always has been. She eats well, takes her treats, acts exactly the same as the others. She is just skinny, and her eggs are always rough with more brittle shells the all the other hen’s eggs. I figure she is not getting the nutrients she needs, maybe due to genetics.what can I do to help her?

 

[cavemanrich]

Not sure of your way of feeding your hens. Is there feed always present all day, or do you feed a quantity at different daily intervals???
You can try and fatten her up, by taking her aside from the others, and provide some additional food.
This is my idea of how I would approach it.
First, weigh your chicken.
For 2 weeks, (daily) provide this as extra for her besides the feed she eats with rest of flock.
2 cooked eggs. and 1/2 cup of scratch.
Weigh her after test period, and see if there is any weight gain.
My chickens raid the cat food dishes whenever they get a chance. View my Avatar.
I avoid cat food as a suggestion, since I was

by some respondents with claim of too much salt. My chickens have been raiding my cat food for years,,,,, and still live long lives Pet foods do contain some salt, but very little compared to human food. The pet food is a protein boost.
Her being on the thin side may be a result of not being able to get to the feed as well, as the others getting a "Lions' Share" first.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[VictorVictoria]

Thank you for your reply! They have access all day to feed, Kalmbach 17% protein layer pellets and they get a handful of scratch at bedtime. Vege scraps from the kitchen when available. i got her and her sisters just over a year ago and she has always been thinner with very little breast muscle compared to her siblings. Perhaps you are right about her just not getting her share, I will try your suggestion!

 

[tripletfeb]

I would check her and the others for scaly leg mites. You said her legs are rougher looking than the others, which could indicate a problem. They can act completely normal and still have scaly leg mites. Please post pictures of the chicken in question and her legs

 

[VictorVictoria]

I would check her and the others for scaly leg mites. You said her legs are rougher looking than the others, which could indicate a problem. They can act completely normal and still have scaly leg mites. Please post pictures of the chicken in question and her legs

Thanks for your reply. Her legs are fine. She is thin and her EGGS are rough like sandpaper

 

[tripletfeb]

Thanks for your reply. Her legs are fine. She is thin and her EGGS are rough like sandpaper

Sorry about that! I read it before I found my glasses! The advice already given is good. I would only add that having more than one or two feeders could help. And oyster shell on the side can help with her egg shells. I personally feed an all flock feed which has more protein and provide oyster shell on the side.

 

[Matejka]

My birds were all skinny at 8 weeks. I thought just fast growth and weight hadn't caught up with growth spurts.. Just to cover all the bases, I wormed them.
They immediately started gaining, and are now fat, sassy 14 week olds.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Sorry about that! I read it before I found my glasses!

I read it as "her legs are always rough" too! And I don't even wear glasses!