Sitting down to eat...

[peteyfoozer]

A lot of the meaties are sitting while they eat. Is this normal? Are they just fat, dumb and happy or are they having the infamous leg problems I hear about? They do have access to food all the time, but they have to go aways to get it and they are free ranging in the back yard. Should I take it away at nite??

 

[Chicken Girl]

Yes take the food away at night time. they need to be with out food for around 12 hours. Doing this will help with the leg problems A LOT. How old are they?

Chicken Girl

 

[peteyfoozer]

They are 6 weeks old. They cruise all over the back yard, but a lot of them don't bother standing to eat.

love the "knee mail" tag!

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

They will sit down to eat but it is not good for them. Raise the feeder up to a level that they have to stand to eat.

I usually take the food away for a couple of hours during the day and they have food for the whole time, of course they don't eat at night because it's dark.

 

[itsy]

Quote:
Mine must be strange chickens then because they eat at night! Because our temps have been so high - they are eating their food when it's cooler at night. I wouldn't normally think to put the food in there with them (I have red broilers from Ideal), but I have been...and it's gone every morning!

 

[peteyfoozer]

I raised it up, thanks for the tip! It has greatly improved their table manners.

They are EVERYWHERE today! It rained all yesterday afternoon and I was shocked to see them on the lawn about 50 ft from their favorite hangout this morning. ALL the chickens are out this morning...5 month and 6 week old layers and meaties...it looks like a chicken convention here!