What is IDEAL body condition for Layers?

[Casastash]

So we recently went through our flock to thin out older hens. We did a look at all hens to look for issues and mites, Dewormed everyone a few weeks ago.

I never really thought of it until I got CornishX but all my 2 year old laying hens seem thin, Including my 2 month old wyandotte and 4 month old EEs.

all birds seem healthy and happy, have nice thick legs but have little muscle on either side of the keel.

we have multiple feeding stations (5) and automatic waterers

My ducks and geese are nice and plump!

They free range 15 acres of Alfalfa field. They are free fed 18% Grower and oyster shell with scraps.

i’m wondering if this is husbandry or bird type? and is there an Ideal body score like in dogs and horses?

 

[itspebbl]

I don't know if there is an Ideal body score, but from what it sounds like, your birds are healthy. Laying hens are usually pretty slender, since a lot of their energy goes into producing eggs, instead of building muscle and fat. The Wyandottes will thicken up as they get older, but at 2 months they will still be pretty small. EEs aren't usually too heavy either, and since all of them are free fed, they can get more food if they are every hungry. Cornish X are extremely large, wide birds bred for nearly the opposite purpose as laying hens, so they each put their energy more into what they were bred to do. So, I wouldn't worry, your birds sound happy and healthy!

 

[Wolfsbane]

It varies a bit by breed, my two leghorn girls are both very small and slender but lay an egg a day.

My Delaware hens are big and fatter than the other hens but they also lay an egg a day.

I think as long as they are not too skinny or so obese that they risk breaking a leg when they jump down from the roosts I don't worry too much.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

As Wolfsbane said, it is breed specific. To know for sure, get a copy of the American Poultry Association's "Standard of Perfection". Then look at each breed individually. The book has ideal characteristics listed for each.
In general, fat birds don't lay well.
Extremely thin birds may have parasites so you could have a fecal sample read.
It is unfair to compare virtually any breed to Cornish X.