Rob -- oh, I see. That makes sense, that healthy hens of any breed make the best use of the food they do eat. I guess my hens have all been so healthy looking that I don't really know yet what an UNhealthy bird looks like. I guess I will know "loss of thriftiness" when I see it, boo hoo! Thank you, by the way, for your comments to my post in the Poultry Health section re: free ranging. I am hopeful that what you said about weaker birds being "culled by nature" (or me) but others becoming stronger through exposure to imperfect surroundings is true. I understand that I may lose some of my birds to illness (or coyotes!), but I'd hate to lose too many of them! I've grown to adore those handsome ladies. (Roosters are another matter -- mmmm, those tasty roosters!)
