Chickens require a diet rich in proteins, energy, vitamins and minerals in order to thrive and remain at an ideal weight. Failure to meet this standard may result in underweight conditions that lead to serious health concerns for their owners.
Flock owners can identify underweight chickens by regularly monitoring their size, touching the keel bone, and measuring weight. Doing this allows them to spot changes early and provide prompt treatment of any issues they discover.
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1. Feed them high-protein and high-fat foods.
Chickens need protein for proper growth, yet overeating too much could result in weight loss. Feeding high-protein foods such as peanuts, sunflower seeds and meat may help them regain healthy weight if given in moderation as these contain many calories with limited fiber to aid digestion and can potentially cause digestive issues if fed too frequently.
Flock owners must regularly assess the size and condition of their chickens to spot underweight birds, which they can do by feeling along their keel bone (located at the center of their breastbone) to identify those that have protruding keels that indicate underweight status.
Skinny chickens must be isolated for best care and diets that include protein and carbohydrates to promote weight gain, with additional calcium & essential nutrient supplementation as a plus. Regular deworming, restricting free-range activity and finding their optimal exercise level all play an integral part of maintaining good chicken health; should these measures fail, it’s best to seek professional medical advice from a veterinarian and receive tailored treatments accordingly.
2. Feed them garlic.
Chickens require a balanced diet consisting of energy, minerals, proteins and vitamins for their wellbeing and productivity. Without sufficient amounts and forms of these essential nutrients, they will become malnourished leading to weight loss and reduced growth potential.
Parasites can also play a large part in contributing to underweight chickens. Parasites wreak havoc in their gut and cause anemia – two significant reasons for weight loss among sick birds.
Garlic can be an excellent natural parasite preventative for your flock and help ensure their overall wellbeing and weight gain. Simply sprinkle crushed garlic into their drinking water or feed, as it’ll often get consumed directly by them; they may even take to eating raw cloves!
Bread should be avoided as it can lead to crop blockages in chickens. Instead, consider giving your poultry herbs like basil that boast antibacterial properties and are full of iron for feeding purposes.
3. Feed them flowers.
Chickens require commercially prepared, balanced pelleted feed. But some owners supplement it with kitchen scraps (provided they’re free from mold or rancidity), table scraps and garden foraging foods to give their flocks extra vitamins and proteins. This provides additional protein sources.
Sunflower seeds provide your flock with a nutritious snack rich in Vitamin E, methionine and amino acids – especially black sunflower seeds as they contain twice the healthy oils than their striped counterparts!
Kiwi fruit makes for an excellent treat in your coop, providing your girls with both Vitamin E and K for healthy heart development.
4. Feed them mushrooms.
Chickens enjoy eating mushrooms as a source of vitamin D for healthy egg production, as well as long-acting energy from their long-term energy source: sorbitol.
Feed your flock either raw or cooked mushrooms. Prevent rubbery texture by cooking mushrooms first to eliminate rubbery textures that chickens don’t enjoy eating and eliminate any potential health threats from any toxins in them that might otherwise wreak havoc with them.
Once you’ve isolated an underweight chicken and made sure they have access to fresh, clean water, offer them a diet high in both proteins and fats. Use their regular layer feed, or switch over to one specifically tailored for weight gain with higher percentages of both proteins and fats. Incorporate vegetables and fruits (tomatoes contain solanine which can be toxic to chickens). Try apple or orange slices instead to make their meals even more nutritous.
