[Mini Ellis]

Hey,
Does it matter if chickens are underweight and is their anyway of bringing them up to a healthy weight quickly?
Hannah xxx

[Kate and her Ducks]

Yes, it's never ideal for them to be under or overweight. What makes you think they are underweight? Have you checked for those things that could be making them lose weight like parasites, worms etc?

[grumpydad]

i would say yes, as they need some reserves in case they go broody, and then dont eat....
saying that we also have a chuck who has a crop the size of a tennis ball at night, all she does is eat all day long.....layers and free ranging......so we possibly have one of both..

chickens...

martyn

[poultrygeist]

What is your feeding regime Hannah ?

ie. what are you feeding, how much and when/all the time ?

Rob

[Mini Ellis]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for your replies.
It is just my new cockerel - whos a polish i found on a website they should be 680grams-920grams and hes only 532grams
his breast bone is very prominant

All my other hens seem fine, they all have layers pellets avalible all the time as with water and they are all free range in the garden.

He seperates himself from all the other hens and doesnt seem to eat alot.
I have kept him seperate from the other hens for a couple of days to monitor his eating and drinking and he is drinking fine, so i added a vitamin suppliment to his water.
He also has had a small bit of tomato but doesnt seem to be eating much else.
he has been powdered for mite and treated for worms also. but he still seems very quiet not to sure if that how he is but with him being so underweight im getting concered.

we are looking to get him another poland to be a mate with to see if this perks him up but otherwise hes not worried about food.

Hannah xxx

[Kate and her Ducks]

Sounds like you have covered the basics well. How long have you had him? Maybe he just needs feeding up with a few treats like corn but not easy and a bit more worrying if he is not interesed in food.

[Mini Ellis]

I have had him since last wednesday he came from and auction hence me not knowing much about his background - could he be missing hens?
Im going to go and get a few maggots tomarrow to see if hes interested in them, but he has been picking at some wild bird seed and has picked the corn out of the pellets.

Is their any other things i could tempt him with?
Thanks
Hannah xxx

[Kate and her Ducks]

Sounds like he might just be a bit out of sorts with the move but I am not an expert by any means (get me onto ducks....). Corn and meal worms are usually firm favourites.

[poultrygeist]

Could well believe that he's missing his harem. But would have thought that corn will pile some weight on him, as long as you don't overdo it. He'll need to look his best for the ladies 

Are his poos ok ?

Someone mentioned worming.

Rob

[Mini Ellis]

I have got some meal worms will put some out for him in the morning with his corn. To get his weight up - im going to weigh him every morning and record it just to make sure hes not losing any!!
his poos were a bit dodgy on wednesday - when i got him they were more water than poo.
But since then they have been fine.

Hannah xxxx

[poultrygeist]

I know heat stress (or any other stress?) can cause watery poo as can dehydration. And I think not eatign enough, so maybe there's a clue there ?

Either way, pamper him and I'm sure he'll be fine. Doubt he'll complain.

Rob

[Mini Ellis]

Ok i will be pampering him no worries
he might even get a hot water bottle tomarrow night if it gets colder! (dont want him geting hyperthermia)

But i will keep you posted - thanks for all your help
If you hear of any polish hens in suffolk let me know!!

Thanks
Hannah xxx

[Foxy]

Being a bit light is not unusual for a young cockerel, as long as he is not ill dont worry, maybe switch to growers for a while. How old is he??

[Mini Ellis]

Hi,
Im not entirely sure how old he is as he came from an auction - is their anyway to tell? or to make a rough guess?
we arent sure if he is just very young or very old?
but he isnt keen on growers its what we have been giving him - but he just takes no interest in it.
Hannah xxxx

[poultrygeist]

Could it be he was fed mash and is throwing his dummy out until he gets what he's used to ?

ROb