What to when my chickens won't eat

PreppyRooster2 · Feb 1, 2016

Hello fellow hen raisers,

I've been raising hens for a few years now and know my birds well enough to know that they hate change. This previous weekend I made a feed run and my feed store have changed suppliers. I'm now left with hens who are on strike. I have no more of the old food and need help.
Thanks

Mountain Peeps · Feb 1, 2016

Do your hens enjoy moistened food? Most chickens love when you add water to their feed. This might help them learn to enjoy it. You might also want to try mixing oatmeal or a little cooked egg to their feed. They'll learn to eat it eventually but these are some ideas to help them get started.

Good luck!

BBQJOE · Feb 1, 2016

Add beer.
I don't know if it will help, but I know mine like staying up later and playing cards and stuff when I give it to them.

21hens-incharge · Feb 1, 2016

Funny Joe!

I moisten the feed and add a little apple cider vinegar to it. You do not have to ferment the feed for days either. I tend to make mine in the morning about an hour before feeding time. It swells a LOT so cover the feed to be given with about 1/2 inch of water then let it sit. I also only give them enough of the wet feed that they can finish it within about an hour. We are getting freezing temps so that way it gets eaten before it can freeze.
Cooked rice or oatmeal will also encourage them to take a bite. Don't panic to much they will eat eventually usually.

Cooked scrambled egg is a good suggestion too. Mine also go nuts for canned mackerel.

Chris09 · Feb 1, 2016

Take all treats away and just offer there feed. You can try wetting the feed some with un-sweetened apple juice.

What to when my chickens won't eat

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PreppyRooster2

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