How much weight should my chicks be gaining?

[jenn-]

@6of6chicks , This chart isn't for orpintons, but it should help:

Source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps046
Table 2.
Example of target body weights during the rearing of replacement pullets.
Age
(weeks)

Body weight
(Pounds)

(Grams)
1

0.14

65
2

0.24

110
3

0.40

180
4

0.55

250
5

0.71

320
6

0.88

400
7

1.10

500
8

1.28

580
9

1.50

680
10

1.70

770
11

1.92

870
12

2.09

950
13

2.27

1030
14

2.43

1100
15

2.56

1160
16

2.67

1210
17

2.76

1250
18

2.82

1280
19

2.89

1310
20

3.00

1360


-Kathy

Do you have a general idea about how heavy an orpington would be by the 20ish week mark since you said that this chart doesn't work for them? I'm about to adopt a chicken that my FIL swears is half turkey since she is weighing in around 8lbs. I'm pretty sure that is is an orpington.

 

[casportpony]

Quote:

Do you have a general idea about how heavy an orpington would be by the 20ish week mark since you said that this chart doesn't work for them? I'm about to adopt a chicken that my FIL swears is half turkey since she is weighing in around 8lbs. I'm pretty sure that is is an orpington.

That seems way heavier than it should be. How fat is it? Here is a body score picture:

Palpate the beast and pick a number.

-Kathy

 

[jenn-]

That seems way heavier than it should be. How fat is it? Here is a body score picture: Palpate the beast and pick a number. -Kathy

I don't have my hands on her yet. I'd bet she is easily a 4. She was not very cooperative with the whole weighing thing, so maybe his scale is off. She is heavy to lift though.

 

[jenn-]

Here's a thread from a month ago with her pictures. Ignore the missing tail feathers as she is severely feather pecked by the queen of the flock (main reason I want to get her from him).
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/993197/hen-or-roo#post_15443009

 

[casportpony]

Here's a thread from a month ago with her pictures. Ignore the missing tail feathers as she is severely feather pecked by the queen of the flock (main reason I want to get her from him).
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/993197/hen-or-roo#post_15443009

AS long as she's not a 1, 2 or 5 I think she'll be okay... keep in mind that obese birds are prone to getting fatty liver disease and often have trouble laying eggs,

When my peahens go over 4kg, they go on a diet, lol.

-Kathy

 

[jenn-]

AS long as she's not a 1, 2 or 5 I think she'll be okay... keep in mind that obese birds are prone to getting fatty liver disease and often have trouble laying eggs,   

When my peahens go over 4kg, they go on a diet, lol.

-Kathy

When I get my hands on her and her almost as big sister, what's the way to put them on a diet? They will go into seclusion for a while, do I just restrict their intake then?

 

[casportpony]

Quote: What are you feeding them?

-Kathy

 

[jenn-]

What are you feeding them?

-Kathy

They are still at my FIL's house. I know he has them on a layer feed, but I don't know which one. He also feeds a big salad for a treat (6 hens) and they free range for a good part of the afternoon.

 

[casportpony]

Sounds like a good diet... maybe cut back on the layer if the majority are overweight?

-Kathy

 

[ChickieMandy]

@6of6chicks , This chart isn't for orpintons, but it should help: Source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps046 http://Table 2. Example of target body weights during the rearing of replacement pullets.

Age (weeks)	Body weight
(Pounds)	(Grams)
1	0.14	65
2	0.24	110
3	0.40	180
4	0.55	250
5	0.71	320
6	0.88	400
7	1.10	500
8	1.28	580
9	1.50	680
10	1.70	770
11	1.92	870
12	2.09	950
13	2.27	1030
14	2.43	1100
15	2.56	1160
16	2.67	1210
17	2.76	1250
18	2.82	1280
19	2.89	1310
20	3.00	1360

-Kathy

Thank you for sharing!