The Silkie and 2 Welsummers (the youngest) are much thinner than I would like. Two weeks ago I switched from crumbles to pellets but switched back to crumbles and added two more hanging feeders. Is there a way to fatten them all up a little? I bought a bag of conditioner and add a little of that to crumbles with hot water for a morning treat. They also get BOSS. Any suggestions for a high calorie treat or additive for them? It's been so cold I worry about them being warm enough.
Thanks!
How to put weight on chickens?
Young, growing chickens are often quite lean. It does not mean they are unhealthy. You might get them a "flock block" as an extra treat. They love things like corn which is fattening but not the complete nutrition that they need while growing.
Thanks Porkpal, I've seen the flock blocks. Are they supposed to be left out all the time or just part of the day? I know they're all really burning up calories right now with it being colder and they've been so busy running around the back yard scratchng up the flower beds. They're doing a lot of the fall yard work for me!
Sounds to me like you are providing a great diet for them. I fatten my youngsters up with a mixture of cooked rice, crumbles, yogurt and scrambled eggs mashed up.. moistened slightly to get the crumbles to stick to the rice..
You gotta watch out though.. fat chickens are not a good thing.. they don't lay well, are prone to leg problems, and it's hard for them to get up and down off the roost. I over fed my hens and you should hear the "thud" when they jump off the roost!! Not a good thing..
Although, when they are "teens" it's the same as humans, you can't seem to feed them enough ever.. LOL
Hey Annie: ZZ's as usual is right on, just wait til they are old enought to ride, that will put weight on them...LOL...Sorry Annie I just could not resist...I just love cracking myself up...Hay