My Chickens are eating DIRT. Why???

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FoxyEgg

FoxyEgg

Hatching
9 Years
Feb 5, 2010
4
0
7
I have a flock of three hens right now (three were killed by a raccoon 3 months ago... we promptly fixed the security issue), they live in a coop big enough for 8 -10 hens, and have a run fit for 14 (its a big enclosed area). we change their water and food every day, they get plenty of fruits and veggies in addition to their layer pellets and show bird supplements, we also mix "kickin-chicken" omega 3's with their feed
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. lately they have been just devouring dirt
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, their droppings are blackish, filled with mud and there seems to not be any way to stop them from eating dirt
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. There is always feed available for them and yet they opt to eat mud? there is straw in the run mixed with diatamaceous earth, and wood chips (aspen) in the coop.

Any Ideas?
 
Well, they need grit or gravel for digestion of their food. That is most likely why they are eating the dirt. They need something to help grind up the food. You can buy bird gravel for them.
 
Forgot to mention that, We have gravel provided for them. Bought a nice 10lb bag. They have plenty available in their run, that is not what they are eating, they are just eating straight dirt.
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Since they have grit already the only thing that comes to mind is a mineral deficiancy. It sounds like they get a good diet, but maybe it's to high in something and needs something else to offset it? Depending on where you live your dirt could have a fairly high mineral content and that may be why they're eating it. I'd take a sample in to the county extention office, or even just call them to ask what is normal in your area. Once you know what is in it you could offer that as a supplement so they'll leave off the mud.

I just re-read your answer about grit and notice that you said they have gravel, if you really meant gravel and not grit I'd get some grit (it's much finer) and offer that. True gravel tends to be too big and smooth to work well as grit replacement. Best of luck with them.
 
I meant grit. And may I ask what the issue with the showbird supplement is? They have always loved it since they were chicks.
 
It's not all that unusual for them to peck at dirt. Just because you think they should eat the grit you provide them doesn't mean they agree. They may have a diet deficiency. They may be getting bugs or other creepy crawlies out of it. They may just see tiny particles in it that looks interesting. After all, my Delawares try to peck the paint specks off my shoes.

The layer contains practically everything they need. If they are getting so much other stuff, like the fruit and veggies, they may be developing deficiencies of some kind. The layer contains the calcium they need, but if they are eating a small amount of layer compared to the other stuff, maybe they are not getting enough calcium. You might cut back on the outside stuff and feed them mostly layer for a week or so and see if it makes a difference. And maybe offer calcium on the side.
 
Quote:
I have to ask, Why are you feeding a show bird supplements and "kicken - chicken"?

Chris
 
Quote:
We took them off showbird supplements (it was supposed to help them develop beautiful plumage ((And it did its job)))
The Kicken - Chicken omega 3's support brain and heart health, and those omega 3's carry over into their eggs for our consumption... it suits us both.

Tipsydog- yes, crushed oyster shells for calcium and we also supply them with grit. NJ, we are currently getting hit by a blizzard, and our top-soil is mainly dirt. if you dig about 1/2 a foot to 1 foot down then you start hitting clay.

Ridge runner - I'm going to give that a shot. layer for a week. thanks.
 

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