I have 50 pullets that are about two weeks older than yours. Mine are a mixture of Americanas and Black Astrolorps. Are your raising these for meat? If not, why do you care about a heavy breast? I didn't really look at my Barred Rocks when they were this age so can't compare them but I think these guys look healthy and normal for their age. (We have never used chick starter for any of our birds - just Cert. Organic grower ration) That sounds like the only difference.

If you can post a picture, that would be good but I think your birds are very healthy and normal. Sounds like you are taking very good care of them.

I agree. By running loose for that length of time every day, they are probably lean, not thin. They're using up most of the energy that they're taking in. You could always drop a fecal sample off at your vet's office to check for internal parasites just to be sure.

My hens are for eggs and pets, not for meat. I'm concerned because I've read that a bony breastbone indicates an underweight or unhealthy bird.

I sure don't want them fat, I know what too much weight does to poultry. It broke my heart to see my White Turkeys become cripples as they matured.

What you say makes sense. They have muscular thighs and wings, just not that thick band of breast meat that I'm so used to feeling/seeing on chickens.

The chicks fly, play, run, eat everything they can catch. It cracks me up to watch them chase butterflies!

I will take fecal samples in for a parasite check, on Tuesday. And will stop at the feed store to see what healthier feeds they may have. Are chicks this age capable of eating whole grains? I used to make my own feed mix using oats, corn, millet and barley. Will have to find my poultry books to check the ratios. That was for a combo flock of layers and meat birds, and they did well.

It has been years since I've had poultry, so I've forgotten a lot!

Thank you for your help and advice!

Lisa

I've found that dual purpose chickens don't really start to fill out until they are at least four months old. I would suggest that they are old enough to move from "starter" to "grower". Finish the bag you have of the starter by gradually mixing in the new feed in slowly increasing quantities, so there is no sudden change in their diet. They sound perfectly healthy and normal to me... and yes, free ranging does take a lot of energy.

I've found the chicks grow faster and stronger eating organic chick start, we start them with 20% when they are doing good we switch to 16%. We give mixed whole grains too.

The buffs always look scrawny, especially the breast,when compared to the cornish cross meat birds. They won't start really filling out until after 12-16 weeks. Your's sound like they are doing fine. I'd stick to the feed you are using. Tom