weightwatchers for chickens?

[cat]

How do you tell if your chicken is over weight?

My light sussex is looking a little pudgy and I heard if your laying hens are too fat it can affect egg production. I am not getting as many eggs as I expected (about 6 per day from 11 birds) and I am wondering if we gave them too many treats over the winter.

 

[JewellFarm]

If they look pudgy to you then most likely they are. My husband puts straw in the run, and throws the food in the deepest areas of straw. They have to work for the food, plus it's good for them. It gives them a little extra exercise, LOL. You can look up your breed and find the avg. weight for them. Then weigh yours and compare how much they weigh and what they should average weighing.

 

[gritsar]

In addition to all the usual problems obesity causes (same as humans) I've read in several places that obese hens are more prone to being eggbound. Yet another reason to go easy on the treats.