A weighty issue with Nancy and Mary by Andrea White, Supervisor Animal Care
/If you’re like a lot of people, you might want that extra piece of cake after a big dinner, but you also know you’re full so that’s probably not a good idea. But, what if you never knew that you were full? What if you would, literally, eat until you could no longer move? Sadly, that is the case with both Nancy and Mary who were bred specifically to gain weight rapidly and to be hungry ALL OF THE TIME.
Nancy and Mary – not eating is not an option
Nancy and Mary are both Cornish cross chickens, or, as humans often refer to them, broilers. Over the years, their breed has been genetically bred to eat and eat and eat…and to basically not stop until they can’t move. In a sanctuary setting, such as HEEFS, Nancy and Mary present a particular challenge. All our other chickens and birds* are “free fed”, which means that they have access to food all the time and they can choose when they wish to eat. Unlike Nancy and Mary, our other bird residents feel both hunger and satiation, much like we do. If we allowed Nancy and Mary to “free feed”, they would be looking at a life of extreme excess weight which can mean early onset arthritis, joint issues, heart problems and even heart failure. A single “gorge” can result in a weight gain of a pound or more and this is not only incredibly unhealthy, but it can even be fatal. It is our obligation to Nancy and Mary, as it is to all our residents, to try to keep them within their ideal weight (Nancy 14lbs and Mary 11lbs). To help ensure that their weight never gets too far from their ideal, Nancy and Mary are weighed weekly.
On the menu
Nancy and Mary get fed twice daily. Currently, their meals are fed at 7:30 am and 3:30 pm and consist of ¼ cup of chicken feed for each meal. Along with this, they get chopped lettuce which helps extend their meals without adding any extra calories. High-calorie foods are restricted for them, but they do get treats occasionally.
To help manage their weight, Nancy and Mary also live together and separate from the other birds who have access to free feeding in their coop. Also, they supplement their diet with whatever treasures they find when they are out and about during the day.
*Corno is also a “meat” breed who gets fed twice per day to help keep him at a healthy weight.
