Chickens won’t eat their food

[SaltLakeChickenMama]

My hens won’t eat their food. I got a new brand. Could that be it? OR We give them treats and that seems to be all they are interested in, which I get, but we havn’t given them any treats for over a day and they still won’t touch their crumbles. They have just started laying, so I’m worried. They free range and they are driving me crazy with their begging! Any ideas?

 

[nuthatched]

It could be both, the new brand is new, therefore it's highly suspect. They've also been spoiled with treats and know you'll bring them something tastier if they don't eat the feed. No healthy animals will starve if there's food available, leave their food, no treats and ignore them.

 

[Brooks_]

It could be both, the new brand is new, therefore it's highly suspect. They've also been spoiled with treats and know you'll bring them something tastier if they don't eat the feed. No healthy animals will starve if there's food available, leave their food, no treats and ignore them.

Agreed.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

If ever mine seem to lose interest in their crumbles I just dump some water in it and they fall back in love.

 

[Penpal]

Since they are free ranging they aren't starving. When they need to get filled they will eat the new stuff. Agree to make a mash to entice them.

And stop feeding them treats.