Reverse Effects from Too Many Treats?

[micstrachan]

I am curious about whether keeping a flock on a high quality flock raiser can diminish the effects of previously having too many treats. I am pretty mindful of keeping the overall percentage of treats in check, but hadn’t taken into consideration that top birds get more than their share. Bridgey, my Barred Rock, has always been a very solid girl (but she did thin out a bit during molt, as all my birds do.) She’s done molting, hasn’t quite come back i to lay yet (or maybe an egg yesterday was hers?) and she’s just filled right out. After seeing multiple necropsy photos with fatty organs, I’m just slightly concerned for dear Bridge, who loves to eat. After making sure they ate well on their feed this morning, I let them freerange all day today. (It was a locely day and I stayed out with them the entire time). They eat worms and greens, plus, I threw a bunch of chicken pasture seed before the last rain and not all of it has sprouted, so I’m sure they ate a bunch of that.
When I called them back into the pen, after just a tiny bit of scratch (I used to get them in) most of the girls preened or had a nap. Not Bridge. She ate and ate. Maybe she’s getting ready to cone back into lay, but I don’t want the sweet thing to be fat. I guess I should weigh her and see where she is compared to her last weight. I should also mention that during the work week they are confined to the pen and only have their feed. Occasionally I get home in time for them to have a quick half hour free range excursion before bed.
Anyway, my real question is: If I cut out the scratch completely, would she lose the fat around her organs if she has it? Thanks.

 

[fawndane]

Chickens will eat and eat, unless you cut them back.

I say, if you let them free range and they get their grass, bugs, and greens, you don’t need to provide scratch. Provide treats occasionally. You don’t want to spoil your flock to the point they’re obese.

I don’t remember the amount of feed you should give per adult bird, I’ll have to look around for that. I’d get your chickens on a schedule and give measured out feed.

 

[sylviethecochin]

If you're feeding a perfectly balanced diet, and she's getting the amount she needs, she'll keep the weight, but not gain anymore. I don't think anyone sells a purposefully unbalanced chicken diet. I'd restrict feed if there's scratch in it--so that they can't make a pure meal of only the bits they like.

I personally feed my ducks scratch with their expensive feed, in a large, shallow pan so that they can pick out the best of it immediately. The "good bits" (whole corn) is in such a small amount, and so readily visible that it's all eaten in the initial rush, leaving no extra for a determined eater to unbalance his diet. I don't think any duck is getting significantly more or less of it. The "bad bits" (soaked oats) are left until last.

EDT: and yes, I balanced their diet to account for the amount of nutrients in corn and oats.

 

[K3nzi3]

My ducks have always been fed twice a day. When I get up, and after I eat dinner. I believe a schedule and reducing food intake will certainly help with the weight. (If you can weigh her and tell us the weight of your bird that would be great!) Or, if your yard has even forage in it, only let her forage. This should help with the weight. Chickens can be very good about finding their own food. Figuring this stuff out takes time and patience! =)

 

[micstrachan]

Girls are having free range time and Bridge won’t let me get her out from under a tree… So I can’t weigh her at the moment… But here’s her photo from this morning.

 

[junebuggena]

They won't overeat on flock raiser. She looks like a normal, healthy hen. I've never had any issues with excessive weight gain when only feeding flock raiser and free ranging.

 

[micstrachan]

Well, my method is terribly inaccurate (weigh myself, pick up chicken, weigh again). She ranges from 5.6 to 6.4 pounds. I think she’s fine. Picked up three others who all came in at the same weight, 0.4 pounds under her lowest. I need a kichen scale.

 

[micstrachan]

Thanks. She’s just so sturdy compared to everyone else (all different breeds) but these are hatchery stock. My Buff Orp and Brahma are molting, losing a little muscle, but they should muscle back out after molt. At least, that’s been the trend so far with every molt I’ve seen in my less than two years of keeping chickens.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I think extra scratch and fat in the winter are a good thing. They'll burn the fat off come warmer weather.

 

[GC-Raptor]

When I called them back into the pen, after just a tiny bit of scratch (I used to get them in) most of the girls preened or had a nap. Not Bridge. She ate and ate.

She ate scratch or Flock Raiser?
I'm guessing flock raiser. Not a problem, as Junebuggena said.
If it's scratch to get them back into the pen, as long as she finishes it in 10 minutes. Otherwise toss out less so it's gone in 10 minutes.
As far as fatty liver, I don't know. But it is better to limit treats and I would think she'll live longer than if you overdo treats.
My girls have 18% Protein layers pellets available 24/7. . I do limit treats to seeds scattered on the ground to twice a day, three times in sub freezing temps. They are 21 months old. GC