by Kim Berg, CoopCrate staff writer
When it comes to loving your chickens, sometimes you have to step in and do what’s best for their overall well-being. There’s nothing wrong with spoiling your flock and showing your chickens tons of love, unless it’s compromising their health. If you’ve noticed a weight gain in some or all of your chickens, it may be time to make a change. Here are 4 simple ways to combat obesity in chickens.
1. Feed With Caution
Chickens will eat just about anything, but that doesn’t mean they should. It’s alright to give your chickens leftovers and other foods they come running to you for, but not if it’s creating problems for your flock. Common foods to avoid are: leftover pizza, white rice, and white bread. Much like for humans, too many carbohydrates will lead to a weight gain. Give your flock a more well-balanced diet with fruits, veggies, meal worms, and greens to fight obesity!
2. Limit The Treats
Don’t get us wrong, your flock deserves all the treats! But the key here is in moderation. Treats should always be given with their health in mind, especially if you’ve noticed any health issues among your flock. We know it’s hard to say no, so try breaking up the larger treats before you hand them out and dispersing them all over! This will slow their eating time down and make them walk around more so they can enjoy each treat a little longer, while helping to keep their weight under control.
3. Burn It Off
Exercise is a great way to burn excess calories and shed some weight, but it’s not practical for every chicken keeper. Free-range chickens are less likely to become obese since they have so much land to roam and explore. There are other ways to encourage exercise for your flock if you’re in a tight space. Consider adding a chicken swing to your yard for a great workout. Another fun and healthy way to get them moving is by suspending a cabbage on a string. This is a healthy snack they will have to work for as it swings back and forth!
4. Track Their Weight
If you’re looking to combat obesity, you’re going to want to track your chicken’s weight. This will allow you to see where they currently stand with their weight, and to know immediately when things are getting out of hand. It’s important to note that mature chickens do not need to continue to gain weight. Although, gaining a little weight in the winter is perfectly normal for chickens, as the excess food keeps them warm in the colder months. But if you monitor their weight and notice your chickens are getting a bit too large, you can quickly take action to prevent any serious health issues from occurring.
As much as we love our chickens, it’s understandable to want to give them the best lives possible. We hope these tips help you and your flock enjoy many more years together, as one big, happy, and most importantly, HEALTHY family!