3 month old (15 weeks) chicks/pullets not eating feed well anymore since foraging...

[sawprops]

I have 3 pullets aged 15 weeks who used to eat their feed like crazy. Lately, for the last 2 weeks, they are taking days to eat the same food and still don't eat it all. I let them roam in the backyard all day long and they are quite fond of the side of my house where I'm sure there are lots of bugs! They go there everyday and my thought is how many bugs could there be over there?? My lawn is just average backyard lawn, and frankly is drying out in spots.

Are they getting enough with foraging that they don't want the feed? Don't they need the extra protein that the feed provides in order to be good egg layers and grow properly? How can I get them to eat their food again?!

 

[sourland]

If you want them to eat their food again, pen them up. The insects they are eating is a far better protein source than their feed plus they must taste better.

 

[sawprops]

@Sourland I agree, just wondering if it's enough since they're still growing. How many bugs could they find in my backyard. They have very little interest in this Nutrena anymore! Every now and again in the evening they'll take a few bites but thats it. Not like before,

 

[sourland]

They are not going to starve themselves. If they are hungry, they will increase their consumption of the pellets.