Layer Feed that Isn't Pellets. Okay?

[oldhen2345]

My chickens think that layer pellets soaked for as little as 15 minutes and served up at the consistency of cooked oatmeal are the best thing ever. Might be worth a try.

That is what I do. Used to ferment, but it just smelled like it soured sometimes, so I quit fermenting and just started giving wet feed. They all love it and scarf it down. I just wet it when I head out to the coop. By the time I am there, it has absorbed.

 

[Wildeysue]

Hi All - my girls just flat out reject any pellets or crumbles I give them. They will eat scratch but not layer pellets or crumbles. I found these two products on Amazon that I want to try but wanted to know if any of you have tried them and/or like them as an alternative.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X5MPVJZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PS24841/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


any thoughts/comments? Ps Happy New Year to all of my chicken loving friends!

My girls, and my rooster, love the Henhouse Reserve! They wont eat pellets or crumbles either.

 

[leslielbk]

Hi All - my girls just flat out reject any pellets or crumbles I give them. They will eat scratch but not layer pellets or crumbles. I found these two products on Amazon that I want to try but wanted to know if any of you have tried them and/or like them as an alternative.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X5MPVJZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PS24841/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


any thoughts/comments? Ps Happy New Year to all of my chicken loving friends!

Many years ago when I first started keeping chickens I bought my feed from the local feed mill. Yes, a real feed mill - may they rest in peace. When I bought my first bag of scratch I asked him how come we don't just feed them that and he said because it's like pancakes for breakfast lunch and dinner

 

[Herbalgem]

Hi All - my girls just flat out reject any pellets or crumbles I give them. They will eat scratch but not layer pellets or crumbles. I found these two products on Amazon that I want to try but wanted to know if any of you have tried them and/or like them as an alternative.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X5MPVJZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PS24841/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


any thoughts/comments? Ps Happy New Year to all of my chicken loving friends!

Hi! I’m a former Jersey girl! HUnterdon county, now an Adirondacker. I buy my feed from the Ernst family farm in Maryland. They have a beautiful all grain blend for layers called Homestead harvest. All their grains are also non-GMO which is quite important to me. They do deliver through HeartyPet (I think!) and the shipping is free. I do’nt like the crumbles or pellets because I want to see what is in the food! Good luck!

 

[Ascholten]

I still can't see a chicken ...... starving itself to death.... when there is food there just because it's not the flavor the bird wants. Ive seen them eat each others' poop, so they can't be THAT fussy when they are hungry!

STOP giving them the scratch grain, just stop for a few days, when there are no more treats, they will start eating what you put down for them. As some of the others have said, wetting it down a bit might make them like it a bit more as well but once they get hungry enough, they will eat it. I have found with mine, when there is an abundance of food, they get picky, but when the food is on the ground being stepped on / into the dirt for a day or two and I decide NOT to put their morning breakfast bowl out for them, yah sure they cry for a little bit, but sure enough by noon, all that food that formerly was being stepped on, has now been eaten. Then they get fresh food.

Basically, if you condition them that when they stand by their food dish and cry, they get fed, that's what they are going to do every time. Or just don't eat 'THIS" pellet and I'll get a different type.

It's tough love sometimes but it works. and really, is for their best interests.

 

[Beamerz]

You can't let them just have scratch, it's too much carbs and not enough nutrition but chickens will choose scratch over pellets because it's tastier.
Don't give them scratch at all for a few days, when they're hungry, they'll eat the pellets. Also check the mill date on the feed, it could be too old.

Great advice.. thank you !

 

[Ascholten]

even if the feed is a bit older. As long as it is not moldy, they get hungry enough, they'll eat it. As a bonus you might get the weevils and stuff to start growing in it, extra protein for the girls !
Aaron

 

[MysteryChicken]

You could use Nutrena All Flock 20% Protein Pellets, with Oyster Shells on the side in a different feeder, instead of using layer. Saved me money.

 

[Dhkoenig]

Hi All - my girls just flat out reject any pellets or crumbles I give them. They will eat scratch but not layer pellets or crumbles. I found these two products on Amazon that I want to try but wanted to know if any of you have tried them and/or like them as an alternative.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X5MPVJZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PS24841/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


any thoughts/comments? Ps Happy New Year to all of my chicken loving friends!

I have used both the feeds you sent the links for. I also use Grubblies. My girls are healthy so I think it must be okay. Mine are like yours and wont touch the pellets but I am guilty of putting out fruits and veggies and some cheese, eggs etc..for them. In my mind - if the chickens were not in human captivity they wouldn't have pellets. There are no wild chickens per se except Red Jungle Fowl and feral chickens, but they can't be eating pellets.

 

[Ascholten]

They get hungry enough they'll eat the pellets, they will NOT starve themselves.
Just like your brat kids, I won't eat my brocolli, but I'll eat the pudding snack., Let him go with no dinner or lunch for a day and all of the sudden that brocolli is a delicacy.

Hunger is a powerful motivator.

Aaron