Chicken Forum banner

Normal weight for rock hens?

8K views 156 replies 5 participants last post by  Poultry Judge 
#1 ·
We have 4 rock hens that are about 22 weeks old now, and they they weigh about 3.75 lbs each. I read they can be 7.5 lbs at full size, but start laying eggs by 28 weeks old. Do they start laying eggs before they reach full size, or are these hens behind in their weight gain? They seem very healthy overall, voracious eaters, free range only ever in a coop to sleep at night, they eat the figs and apples that fall off trees, as well as walnuts, cheese, pumpkin seeds, sardines, and other high protein supplements we provide to make up for the fact that they already cleared all the bugs out of the yard. They’re already on a layer feed on advice to switch them at 18 weeks but seems like they have a lot of growing left to do? Wondering if rock hens should be switched much later to a layer feed?
 
#5 ·
We have 4 rock hens that are about 22 weeks old now, and they they weigh about 3.75 lbs each. I read they can be 7.5 lbs at full size, but start laying eggs by 28 weeks old. Do they start laying eggs before they reach full size, or are these hens behind in their weight gain? They seem very healthy overall, voracious eaters, free range only ever in a coop to sleep at night, they eat the figs and apples that fall off trees, as well as walnuts, cheese, pumpkin seeds, sardines, and other high protein supplements we provide to make up for the fact that they already cleared all the bugs out of the yard. They're already on a layer feed on advice to switch them at 18 weeks but seems like they have a lot of growing left to do? Wondering if rock hens should be switched much later to a layer feed?
 
#19 ·
Maggie my Golden Comet, Sudie, my Golden Laced Wyandotte, and Gertrude, my barred rock will sit as long as 30 minutes at a time on my lap or on my shoulder. My welsummer Rooster, Homer will sit on my lap or shoulders for about 10 to 15 minutes. The welsummer hen, the speckled sussex, and the black Alstrolorp will all eat from my hand but not get in my lap. The welsummer hen did one time and Homer ran her off.
 
#21 ·
Homer is something! He will be 6 weeks old Monday. He is developing his crown and his waddle. Each morning when I go check on them at daylight, my lap buddies all want to sit in my lap. This morning Homer jumped up there and tried to not let the others get in my lap. I know he is the rooster but I intervened a bit and let them all up there for a little bit.
 
#28 ·
I am a 63 year old retiree who wanted some chickens for eggs. I grew up around chickens and granddaddy always had his advice. I have fallen in love with my little 7 and everybody that knows my wife and I say our chickens have the best conditions of any chickens around and are tamer than any they have seen. We treat them as well as our cats and dog and ourselves for that matter. I won't let them be cold or hot. I probably give them too much treats but I am sorry my granddaddy used to say happy chickens make baskets of eggs. The happier and more comfortable they are the longer they will lay and live. I hope that is true. He also said that rooster needs to be your friend.
 
#33 ·
LOL With all that scratching they do they're getting exercise.

One of the ways is noticing one of the same breed is heavier than the another of the same breed. And there is a weight average that each breed should be.

Empty calorie things like corn can pack the pounds on if too much is given to them. Or maybe I should say ounces since we're talking about chickens.

It only seems to be a problem for those that feed too many treats of varying kinds.
 
#34 ·
The weight averages for each breed are listed in the Standard. If the chickens spend any time free ranging at all, they won't get fat. They are doing what chickens are supposed to do, as Robin said, scratching around and doing whatever esoteric stuff chickens do when we're not looking!
 
  • Like
Reactions: robin416
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top