Previously bullied 7.2 mo hen TOO SMALL

[adcockfarm]

We have a 7.2 month barred rock hen that i read should be 7-8 pounds... she only weighs 4-4.5!
she has been bullied a LOT in the past, (still missing head feathers) and forced to hide up by the nesting boxes all day, away from the food. Could that be it? or the stress of being pecked? she made a lot of nervous chirps and still does around the other hens, but they let her hang out with them now.
thanks​

 

[itspebbl]

I think that the 7-8 lb mark is for high-quality, heritage barred rocks like the ones @speckledhen raises. Most BRs are from hatcheries, and are not bred to the same standard. She may have lost a little weight from the stress but sounds like she is otherwise okay.

 

[adcockfarm]

will she gain it back?

 

[IZZYBELLA]

None of my hatchery BRs have ever been 7-8 lbs! They range from 4-6 lbs and are healthy. If you haven't already, I would add some additional feeding and water stations so that she can access them with more ease.

 

[adcockfarm]

What a relief! thank u!