[Goldfinger]

We had one of our chooks to the vets for a possible bout of mycoplasma (foam in the eye) a few days ago. We were given a course of antibiotics for her and the others to cover them.

When in the vets, they told us that she was a little under weight,  . We explained that the others are about the same size, (except for the 2 new additions that were about 12 weeks old), they were all ad-lib fed, got plenty grass / greens, pellets, corn etc and were never out of food and water since getting them.

I was wondering, should I give them something extra for a while 'til they put on a bit of weight, or just leave them to do it themselves??

Would maggots (protein) be ok if I had to do something??

[GrannieAnnie]

Hi Goldfinger.  What breed are they?  If they are hybrids like Warrens, they should only weigh about 1.75 to 2kgs.  They are not bred for meat, but egg laying.  I still think my girls are too light when I pick them up as opposed to the pure breeds which are heavier.

It sounds like they have a good diet and as you feed them their pellets ad lib, they should be eating enough, its just that all their energy goes into making the eggs.

[Goldfinger]

We have, 1 light sussex, 1 blue haze, and 1 goldline, they're all about 22 weeks old now, and starting to lay nicely. 

The two new additions are 14 weeks now, 1 black rock and 1 blacktail.

[GrannieAnnie]

The Light Sussex will be a bit heavier when she's a bit older, but all the others are hybrids, so shouldn't weigh anymore than 2kgs, not sure what a Light Sussex hen should weigh, but they are dual purpose birds.  And if you've got a 'traditional' LS she will weigh more than a utility LS, I think I've got that right.  someone told me that at Melton Mowbray recently.

You'll have to weigh one and see what she weighs! 

[Tazzy]

Also if they are free-ranging they will walk off any excess weight. Mine all feel a little thin under their feathers, but have food available during the day (in addition to the stuff they pinch from the lamb-feeders). Can depend on how much exercise they get.

[joyfull]

yep mine all free range and according to my vet are light for their age - that is until they get to 3 then they start to look bigger 

[Sassy]

If they are doing what chickens do with plenty of energy I wouldn't worry. We aren't all the same and cannot always tick a box! I'm sure they're fine.

[Goldfinger]

to weigh one and see what she weighs! 

To weigh a chicken??  :blink:

This is gonna be fun.... The feathers'll be flyin' 

[grumpydad]

put them in a pillowcase and use fishing scales.

also try not to feed maggots to chickens, the coloured maggots have had a dye added to them, and maggots are bred on meat and carrion, and have the possibility to harbour disease, use mealworms instead, they are bred on vegetable matter and are safe for chickens.

[Goldfinger]

Thanks again for more advice for us (me really) new chook keepers.

GF 

[GrannieAnnie]

We have hanging scales and like grumpydad said, put them in a pillowcase, or if you haven't got anything like that, but your bathroom scales are good, stand on scales then stand on scales holding chicken!  Note the difference!  

Vets don't know everything!  I wonder what they'd say if you asked them what each of your chickens should weigh???  

[Sassy]

We have hanging scales and lucky grumpydad said, put them in a pillowcase, or if you haven't got anything like that, but your bathroom scales are good, stand on scales then stand on scales holding chicken!  Note the difference!   

Vets don't know everything!  I wonder what they'd say if you asked them what each of your chickens should weigh???   

I wonder