What to Feed Chickens to Gain weight?

[Mahonri]

Quote:
Great advise.

I've got to get some alfalfa pellets... but we are still giving the girls grass clippings.

I'm not stupid. Everyone else is just smarter than me.

 

[Poohbear]

Raising chickens has been a passion for me as long as I can remember. Working in my chicken yard is my relaxing time now that I am retired. I'm always amazed at what I learn that I didn't know about chickens and fowl in general. bBYC is one of my favorite sites now and I learn every day from new folks and long time fowlers. I'm always trying something new that will increase the health of my flock and make raising fowl more fun. I hope all the new folks (I'm new here too) will post any ideas they have here for all of us to read. Ther IS no dumb questions and some, like me just love the new ideas coming to BYC. I'm always open to my message box or I will respond right here on site. I may not always agree with someone else solution but I sure as heck want to hear their idea. It MAY be better than what I knew!

 

[kera!]

tHANKS pOOHBEAR I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A GREAT FEED RECIPE..THAT IS ALMOST THE EXACT ONE I USE BUT NEVER USED THE ALFALFA..THANKS..

 

[jduwe1]

Hello,
New to the site, but desparate. I have a 6 year old full size hen that acts normal in
every way, but is extremely THIN! How do I get weight added back on her? She is
4 lbs compared to the others who are 6 lbs. Sent a fecal sample to vet- no
worms. She eats, just does not eat enough. Poop is normal, activity normal,
but she just went through a hard molt. I noticed how thin she was 3 weeks ago
and since have her in the coop but in her own pen. She eat most of treats I give and
2 oz of crumbles and 3-4 oz water per day. Her treats consist of green leaf lettuce,
tomatoes, boiled egg yolk, dried mealworms, suet, raw liver, and any other protein
that I think she would eat. I am I just preventing the inevitable?? Should I give up
on her?
Jewel

 

[aoxa]

Hello,
New to the site, but desparate. I have a 6 year old full size hen that acts normal in
every way, but is extremely THIN! How do I get weight added back on her? She is
4 lbs compared to the others who are 6 lbs. Sent a fecal sample to vet- no
worms. She eats, just does not eat enough. Poop is normal, activity normal,
but she just went through a hard molt. I noticed how thin she was 3 weeks ago
and since have her in the coop but in her own pen. She eat most of treats I give and
2 oz of crumbles and 3-4 oz water per day. Her treats consist of green leaf lettuce,
tomatoes, boiled egg yolk, dried mealworms, suet, raw liver, and any other protein
that I think she would eat. I am I just preventing the inevitable?? Should I give up
on her?
Jewel

Protein. Meal worms, chicken, turkey, any meats... Eggs are also good.

What breed is she? Can you show pictures?

 

[jduwe1]

Hello,
She is a 6 year old Gold Sexlink. They normally should be 6-7 pounds. I can't send a picture right now, but she is
horrendoulsy Skinny. I am very worried.
Jewel

 

[aoxa]

Hello,
She is a 6 year old Gold Sexlink. They normally should be 6-7 pounds. I can't send a picture right now, but she is
horrendoulsy Skinny. I am very worried.
Jewel

Jewel,

Sexlinks are not meant to live this long. They get reproductive cancers much more than heritage strains of birds. I do not think they are 6-7 pounds, but rather 4-6 pounds. They shouldn't be horrendously skinny, but they shouldn't be fat if they are productive.

 

[jduwe1]

She is more of a pet, than a production layer. She layed an egg every other day up until 2 months ago. 1 month ago she started
losing feathers and had watery poop. I cured the watery poop, but now she just looks VERY scruffy and skinny. Her comb is also
floppy and gray tinged at the ends. I think she is dehydrated. Could this be the reason she has less of an appetite? Its hard to say
Goodbye to a beloved pet and I am having trouble on deciding where to draw the line.
Jewel

 

[edenbobeden]

I'm having sort of the same problem with my 10 month old Easter Eggers I feed then layena crumbles evey day all day and a small pan of scratch and oyster shells for calcium and their gizard. i give them mealworms as treats and table scraps but they are still extremely skinny, like on one you can feel her chest bone . Please help I'm not sure what to do

 

[motherhubbert68]

Hey guys I have a blue maran hen about 10 weeks old we have already wormed with wazine last Sat. And I have feed them a mix of yogurt and starter feed and pumpkin. The problem is even though her appetite is good I can still feel her breast bones she does not seem to be putting on any weight. I don't want her to get fat per say just put on some weight she's so light when you pick her up you can't tell your holding anything. Otherwise she seems healthy but have decided to dust the flock with garden dust to be sure. Any other suggestions?

They do free rang in addition to a diet of starter feed and corn in the afternoon