skinny chicken

[shellybean40]

I had one bantam that almost starved to death because I accidentally bought pellets and did not realize some just won't eat them. I am back to crumble for LIFE. She got healthy and back to laying in about a month after I switched back. Poor girl, I just did not know.

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

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Good point! My hens will only eat pellets as an absolute last resort too.

 

[Judy]

Right, way too much scratch. I'd cut it out entirely for a while, or at least reduce it to about 1/4 cup for the bunch. I'm not sure about the alfalfa/hay mixture but suspect it is also pretty low in protein. BOSS is a good protein source but it seems like that's a lot for a few chickens. Maybe just give them feed and a treat of sunflower.

I've never had mine refuse to eat pellets, or even hesitate to, but I have large fowl; maybe for bantams they were just too much to manage. Also, mine are accustomed to my offering very little besides pellets. Treats are not a daily thing so whatever else they get, they find foraging. Usually people on here say just leave them with the pellets and they will eat when they get hungry. Again, the extras may discourage them from learning to eat the pellets.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

All good points. When mine started laying I bought pellets and they hated it. I had to quit feeding scratch so when they were starving they ate the pellets. I bought crumbles next time and they gave me a bag of pellets by mistake so I had to go through 100 lbs before I was back on track. Chickens don't need scratch, it just keeps them occupied when they can't get into a field or woods to scratch around and do what they do.
Rather than scratch, try veggies and fruit for treats which they'll appreciate this time of year. We have nothing growing now, plus it's under 5" of snow. A head of lettuce or banana or choped up cabbage.
Parasites could also be the issue.
But for feed, since you apparently have a Tractor Supply nearby I would get the dumor 24% game bird grower (it's like $1 more than layena there) and if nothing else is wrong they won't be skinny for long.
If they are laying, give crumbled oyster shell separately. When everything is back to normal you can go back to the layer.
I still supplement a little 20 % grower for my hens occasionally. Especially now when there are no crickets, caterpillars and frogs to catch.
Keep us informed.

 

[rubyzoo]

They eat the pellets fine! I was giving way to many boss and scratch and snacks and alfalfa!!! They just ate way to much candy!!!!! some are still laying egg I thought they would stop but they have not out of six chicken I get 1 or2 or maybe three eggs a day. Well, I'm sure I am on the right track. Today i gave no snack but they can find plenty left over on ground will give very small amout of boss tonight ! Thanks for all the Help

 

[rubyzoo]

MY girls are gaining weight again. I was feeding way to much of everything and they ate no pellets! They are not back to normal yet but getting there Thank everyone who tried to help me. I'm one of the new ones on here and new with chickens. All of you who help when you reply and also you save many chickens Lifes. Thanks again and keep up help helping all of us .

 

[PepsNick]

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Glad you got help.

Guess I was too late.

 

[rubyzoo]

my lady are doing great! they have gained weight .

better every day I'm so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!