Overweight chooks

[BulgarianBev]

Finally got round to getting some chooks back in june. Don't know what breed as my bulgarian still not too good, but they're all white, something like a Plymouth Rock? I feed them on what is maybe "mash" definately not pellets this I get from the local grain store along with other locals - it is a fine ground mix of what is probably wheat and corn mix judging by what is growing in the fields. They get kitchen scrap (if the dogs don't get them first) usually toms and melons at the moment and they can free range on common land. They seem to be quite fat but not knowing the true breed I can't research that much, but they waddle about and seem to pant a lot. It is still quite warm over here but they have a shaded area and I give them cool fresh water several times during the day. I only want them for eggs but my neighbour told me today "they too fat only good for meat", and reading my one and only chicken book it verifies that if they are overweight they may not lay. Is there a good weight for layers and is there anyway of knowing if and when they will or won't lay, which hopefully they should start doing towards end this month. Combs and wattles are quite red know which I think is a good sign and I don't want to be too hasty but if I don't get eggs then they probably gotta go.

[RichmondHens]

Well Bev, welcome to the Vine, always interesting to get newbies from different parts of the planet!

Fat chooks do not lay well, and yours sound rather on the plump side. If they are free ranging then that is good as you can reduce their feed considerably and in turn they will forage more if they are hungry and as a result burn more calories. Free ranging chickens don't need a lot of food as they can find what they need, so a few handfuls when you let them out and a few more at tea time will be enough.

[bluemoon]

Is it possible that they are a meat breed? Most chickens bred for their meat are white as this makes the skin white and the 'goose-bump' bits where the feathers have been, white, which is what most people want from a table bird. A popular cross is a Cornish (Indian) game with a Plymouth rock, this would give a white chicken which rapidly develops a large breast.

[Hilary B]

Even meat breeds should lay SOME eggs. If they are overweight, they won't. If they waddle, they may well be overweight. I would cut the 'bought in' food to a minimum (just enough to persuade them home at shutting in time).
They may not start laying with the shortening days; it's a bit of a gamble when 'point of lay' age comes in Autumn.
Try to get them slimmed down before they ought to start laying, and you may be lucky....

[bluemoon]

It's true all chickens will lay some eggs, I was just trying to think of a reason for them to be putting on so much weight.

[Polly Fouracre]

Like all of us, too much grub!!

[BulgarianBev]

overweight chooks

Thanks folks for advice. The girls seem to be getting out and about more now that I have "despatched" all the boys and I am feeding less so hopefully they will lose some weight. If not then I will wait till spring and see what happens then.