Two once-overweight Buff Orpington hens

[CynthiaM]

About 2 months ago I traded a couple of roosters for two Buff Orpington hens. They were 2 years old and 1 year old. They were massively huge and overweight, I could tell when I picked them up. The fellow that I got the hens from said that they were not laying anymore. And they haven't yet. During the past two months these birds have lost an incredible amount of weight, and I think that they are of a proper weight now. They have been exercising their brains out, fed a good quality layer/breeder feed. I have an enormous area that they forage in, along with their other pen pals, hills, trees to go around, grass and bugs to eat, everything imaginable. They have done nothing but walk now for two months, over some ruggedish terrain, they are slim. They clearly have not been laying for months. They have 15 hours of light, through light I give them with a timed light system.

I have heard that fat deposits along the oviduct and if birds are overweight the have issues with egg laying. Is this true? These birds are not old by an stretch of the imagination, mother and daughter. Will they ever lay eggs again or does the overweight, fat issue make for a bird that never lays again? I have no clue about this and would really be interested to know. They really are lovely, huge and just drop dead gorgeous. If you know this answer, please elaborate deeply so I fully understand the principle of overweight hens. What age should a Buff Orpington hen lay until?

 

[Mahonri]

I have a very heavy Speckled Sussex and a heavy Black Star. The Black star has probably only missed laying one day in the last three months. the SS lays about 5 a week. I've cut down on the amount of scratch that I was mixing with the layer feed.

 

[silkiechicken]

Too much fat over the ovaries can cause issues like egg binding, however, if they are getting back to the right weight, they should start up at any time. Of course, since it is fall, other things becides light may be affecting their hormone levels so it may be spring before they give you eggs. Since BO's, especially shower ones, are not known to be fantastic layers, it may take longer than if they were a production line.

 

[GossChicks]

Too much fat over the ovaries can cause issues like egg binding, however, if they are getting back to the right weight, they should start up at any time. Of course, since it is fall, other things becides light may be affecting their hormone levels so it may be spring before they give you eggs. Since BO's, especially shower ones, are not known to be fantastic layers, it may take longer than if they were a production line.

I have a very sweet, fat, Lavender Orpington, Thelma. I can not tell if she has an impacted crop or it is just fat cause finding her crop is difficult. My other L.O. Louise, only lays every other day, and she is slim - we thought she was a Louie for a long time. She looks like a rooster and stands like a rooster, but lays eggs. Her eggs are quite small, pointed and dry looking. They are great inside though, huge orange yolks. Anyway, I'm monitoring Thelma's eating habits, no treats or scratch for her; and I raised the feeding dish so she has to stretch to get the food--she kind of lazy too. She's not laid an egg for a week or so now.