Scrawny chicken

[picklestheduck]

I don’t have much time to post much, I’m extremely busy rn, but long story short I have a hen who was bullied but time, her back was bare and she was terrified of all other birds. Fast forward a few months after tons of separation from the flock and tons of free ranging (before a hawk moved close to us) she has grown her feathers back, and her confidence. Just this week I’ve reintegrated her in, and just tonight I felt her underside cuz she looked like she was sitting funky, and her breastbone isextremely pronounced, and after feeling the wrest of the flocks, I realize she’s much scrawnier than I thought. I’m assuming from her body having to use extra protein to regain a ton of feathers. She’s still molting a bit right now. How do I fatten her up? I’ve already supplemented a bunch of cat food for months. Should I separate her again? She had been doing amazing in the flock and holding her own finally.

 

[nuthatched]

Higher protein feed in general will help, you're doing great!

 

[Isadora]

I wouldn't separate her as long as she is able to get to the food. If she's healthy, she'll eat enough to put weight back on her bones.

 

[Mrs. K]

Try multiple feeders in the run, situated so that while eating at one station, a bird cannot see who is eating at another station. Might be she is not getting enough...but it also might just be genetic, some birds are more thin, and often times better layers because of it.

Mrs K