New chicken mom - are my hens overweight? - looking to change feed

[CassiesChicks]

Hello everyone - I really appreciate all the great information on this forum! I am a new chicken mom, finished my coop in February and got my chicks in March of this year. They started laying in July (I have 33 hens) and gradually we have been getting more eggs daily as our hens mature. I have Barred Rocks, Black sexlink Marans, Cuckoo Marans, Lavender Orpingtons, Red Orpingtons, Olive Eggers, Cream Legbars and Ameraucanas. I live in Baja California Mexico - but travel to San Diego a few times every month. I bought my chicks in the US because I couldn't find purebred chicks here. I have been concerned about the feed that I have been giving my hens - I have been buying generic brand layer pellets from the local feed store - but there is no information on the bag, and I don't know much about the feed. Lately I have wondered if perhaps my hens are overweight - although I know Orpingtons are supposed to be chunky. Not all my hens are on the heavy side.... but some of the Marans look hefty. My other concern is that there are a lot of feathers in the run - and I read someone's post saying that when they stopped giving feed with Soy in it, they stopped having so many feathers dropping. Anyway - I do want to change to a better feed for my hens, and wanted to get recommendation for a good non-gmo layer pellet feed. Thank you! Here are some pix of my hens and the feathers.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Can you get pictures of your feed bag?

 

[BDutch]

If think if the hens are over 6 months old the can get into a light moult. That explains the feathers.

If you feel the breastbones and it’s there to feel, but not sharp, the chickens have a good weight. It can vary a little in each breed and individual.

Ask the mill where you buy the food whats in it. They should know what they sell.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Hello everyone - I really appreciate all the great information on this forum! I am a new chicken mom, finished my coop in February and got my chicks in March of this year. They started laying in July (I have 33 hens) and gradually we have been getting more eggs daily as our hens mature. I have Barred Rocks, Black sexlink Marans, Cuckoo Marans, Lavender Orpingtons, Red Orpingtons, Olive Eggers, Cream Legbars and Ameraucanas. I live in Baja California Mexico - but travel to San Diego a few times every month. I bought my chicks in the US because I couldn't find purebred chicks here. I have been concerned about the feed that I have been giving my hens - I have been buying generic brand layer pellets from the local feed store - but there is no information on the bag, and I don't know much about the feed. Lately I have wondered if perhaps my hens are overweight - although I know Orpingtons are supposed to be chunky. Not all my hens are on the heavy side.... but some of the Marans look hefty. My other concern is that there are a lot of feathers in the run - and I read someone's post saying that when they stopped giving feed with Soy in it, they stopped having so many feathers dropping. Anyway - I do want to change to a better feed for my hens, and wanted to get recommendation for a good non-gmo layer pellet feed. Thank you! Here are some pix of my hens and the feathers. View attachment 2828770View attachment 2828771View attachment 2828773View attachment 2828774View attachment 2828775

Soy in feed, or no soy in feed, it doesn't effect molting.

Molting is a natural process that chickens go through during growing up. Also happens once a year before winter hits.

Some of my breeds go through 2 molts. Once in the spring, & once before winter.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Would like to see the feed bag. Would also like to know weights - some of those birds appear deceptively heavy, but aren't - due to the way they feather. Your eyes **WILL** deceive you.

Best test is picking them up and feeling around the keel - you should develop the skill(s), but initially, you likely won't be good at it.

 

[CassiesChicks]

Can you get pictures of your feed bag?

I'm sorry, but I empty the bags into my galvanized can when I buy them - and I didn't save a bag. Remember, I'm in Mexico - so there aren't so many laws about labeling etc. here. Basically it is a white poly bag with no markings on it - but a small printed tag that says layer pellets. I'm pretty sure I would like to try a better brand of feed that I can buy at the feed store in the US - or Tractor Supply. I'm happy to know that the feathers are just normal - and I'll check to see if they are overweight by checking the keel. Thanks for all the helpful info! I would appreciate recommendations for a good brand of layer pellets - thanks!

 

[MysteryChicken]

I'm sorry, but I empty the bags into my galvanized can when I buy them - and I didn't save a bag. Remember, I'm in Mexico - so there aren't so many laws about labeling etc. here. Basically it is a white poly bag with no markings on it - but a small printed tag that says layer pellets. I'm pretty sure I would like to try a better brand of feed that I can buy at the feed store in the US - or Tractor Supply. I'm happy to know that the feathers are just normal - and I'll check to see if they are overweight by checking the keel. Thanks for all the helpful info! I would appreciate recommendations for a good brand of layer pellets - thanks!

Didn't know where you are located.

Is Amazon available where you are?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I'm sorry, but I empty the bags into my galvanized can when I buy them - and I didn't save a bag. Remember, I'm in Mexico - so there aren't so many laws about labeling etc. here. Basically it is a white poly bag with no markings on it - but a small printed tag that says layer pellets. I'm pretty sure I would like to try a better brand of feed that I can buy at the feed store in the US - or Tractor Supply. I'm happy to know that the feathers are just normal - and I'll check to see if they are overweight by checking the keel. Thanks for all the helpful info! I would appreciate recommendations for a good brand of layer pellets - thanks!

Understanding that there is no nutritional label as we have in the US, any chance there is a list of ingredients somewhere, or that they are large enough that you can discern them??? Inadequate nutrition can cause (or at least facilitate) a host of chicken concerns - not knowing what we are dealing with makes it much harder to help you.

If you find your chickens ARE overweight, I'm going to go out on a limb and propose that there may be too much corn in your feed - its low value calories, but very cheap, and usually the first ingredient in most chicken feeds. The ingredients after the corn help compensate for its deficiencies - so supplimenting may help address the dietary imbalance. It would help to know what the best suppliment would be by first knowing what they are being served int heir feed.

 

[kerbotx]

You have some very pretty ladies there! Without a feed tag, it's hard to judge what might be good or bad about your current feed - but what else are you feeding? Generally speaking, chickens get fat from too much junk food, not their feed - things like scratch grains, mealworms, fruit/veggies, etc. But as already mentioned, it could be that your current feed has too much corn or other high-calorie filler. US brands that I would recommend - Purina Flock Raiser if you want to up their protein a bit, Nutrena formulas are good, as well as Kalmbach - but there are probably others regional to California that are great, as well, hopefully someone will chime in on that.

 

[CassiesChicks]

Thanks for the help! Yes, I was suspecting too much corn. I do give them extras from our garden - i.e. zucchinis that got too big, and also some of the yummy weeds that grow between the rows. I also have been giving them a cabbage about every other day - because they love it so much - I didn't think that veggies, or weeds would cause weight issues. I have a treat mix with some scratch mixed with sunflower seeds and meal worms - and give about 4 cups (33 hens) a couple times a week. Not a lot for sure. We can't free range - our german shepherd would not be nice to them (he loves to chase rabbits and squirrels) - and there are other neighborhood dogs that roam on the property. But the run is about 700 square feet - and I have put up some roosting bars, a ladder etc - to try to give them more exercise opportunity. I definitely want to stop the local feed and switch to something on the US side of the border so I know what I'm giving them. Thanks for all the help - I really appreciate it!