Skinny chicken. What do I do?

[chippysmom]

We have 2 that look exactly like yours and we bought them as Buff Brahma chicks. Supposedly calm and good egg layers.

Be careful with her in that dog crate during the night. We had a chicken in one, up against the house, with a box inside. Something got her during the night and pulled her apart right through the bars. We felt terrible!!

 

[CrazyTalk]

No, scratch is just corn ….an empty high calorie carb treat and should be given in small amts.

Why does this keep getting repeated? Corn is not an "empty treat". Most feeds are 70% corn. Nothing does well when fed only one thing, but if you were gonna feed chickens only one thing, it would be corn.

 

[jmockbee]

The breed looks like a Welsummer.

 

[Kluk-Kluk]

I can feel her breastbone. I don't think I'm supposed to feel that.

When I read this original post, I went outside and felt all my chickens. I know that my three 1.5-year-old Red Sex-Links have a rather prominent breastbone. You don't see it, but feel it when picking them up. I can feel my Light Brahma's breastbone, too. And that of my two Japanese bantams. All six of these are last year's chickens and laying exceptionally well.

Then I picked up all five of my 16-week-old pullets: a Silkie, Cochin, Ameracauna, Speckled Sussex, and Wyandotte. The breastbone of these birds weren't jutting out like I could hurt myself on it, but I could feel it on all of these pullets as well. Isn't this normal? Could some of you other chicken owners feel your chickens' breasts (sounds odd) and let me/us know whether you can feel the breastbones?

 

[jmjcmjm]

I have found that feeding scratch to chickens under one year of age causes stunted growth. The hen that I feed scratch at a younger age where smaller when they got to be full grown, than the ones did not feed scratch until one year of age. They where noticeably bigger at full grown age.

 

[jmockbee]

I almost posted something similar when I read that, because I too can feel the breast bone on my one Welsummer and two Buff Orps.

 

[Jobele]

Hi! I'm glad you got your hen to eat....probably just went off her feed until she got use to the new place.....it takes time for them to get adjusted.

As for breed? She looks like a buff or red Sussex. I don't think she's a Brahma...because they have feathers on their legs and they don't have a single comb. I have Sussex in numerous colors...I'll post a pic of mine so you can see the comparison. The ones I've pictured here are about 1 year old. You can definitely see the resemblance. They are buff sussex hens.



As far as the breast bone sticking out.....there are so many contributing factors to look at. Most young birds have a protruding breast bone because they are growing so quickly. They get their structure first and then start to fill out. The breed of bird makes a difference too. Some breeds fill out quicker than others. I really wouldn't worry about breast bones protruding as long as your birds are getting good food, some treats and act healthy. Especially if they are young.......they will fill out as they mature!

Hope that helps! Good luck with your birds!

 

[rebrascora]

Looks like a Welsummer to me too. She should lay lovely terracotta coloured eggs when she gets to that stage.

What struck me is that you said she was missing a few feathers and looked a bit raggedy, which suggests that she may be going through a minor moult. Feeding her higher protein treats, as you are doing, will help her to get through it easier. Moulting and the stress of moving may have knocked her off her feed, but it sounds like she is getting over that now.

Good luck with her. She is a lovely looking pullet.

Regards

Barbara

 

[Almosta Farm]

oh and re her poop. there has not been much but i didn't see anything wormy looking in it. here are some pics of her.

Based on the color of her legs and type of comb, I have to disagree with welsummer. She looks almost identical to one of my Easter Egger hens. Not the best photo, but you can see the comparison.

 

[rebrascora]

Yes, I hadn't spotted the legs. Definitely the wrong colour for a Welsummer