Thin ex: bats:

[havoc]

I have just recently adopted three ex: battery hens. They are 14 months old and when I got them they were very thin. Their keel bone is very prominent. They are almost fully feathered and eating well. I'm feeding a very good quality layers pellet, plus corn, and they find all sorts of bugs etc: in the garden. All three are laying daily, are active, and seem in good health, but I can't get any weight on them. Is this normal for ex: bats: or am I doing something wrong? Any advice would be welcome please.

 

[Den in Penn]

Welcome to BYC.
Don't expect them to put on weight over night. Battery hens are bred for egg laying. Having a bird that has to maintain muscles and lay eggs isn't economical. So they breed for thinner thrifty hens, for a better feed to egg conversion. So battery hens tend to be thinner like Leg Horns, not heavy like Cornish crosses. Feed them well and if they are healthy be content.

 

[havoc]

Explained like that I can see it makes sense. Thank you for putting my mind at rest that I'm not doing anything wrong for them.

 

[Buster52]

I just picked up 65 yesterday. It has been an eye opening experience. So how are your girls doing?