4-month-old chickens "picking through" feed to eat big chunks

[HoneyTree]

Hi, all.

My chickens are on pullet grow-out feed. They eat the big chunks of yellow and red corn, and leave the "dust" looking part of the feed. Problem is, that's leaving a lot in their feeder! When I go to top it off, they just eat the big chunks again.

What exactly IS the dusty stuff? Is it just finely ground meal? Is it just as nutritious for them, and they just object to the texture? Should I wait to fill up until they've emptied out what's there? Could this be a sign they're ready for the next feed up? (Wasn't planning on introducing that for another few months, around laying time--is that right?)

Thanks for any insights.

 

[Cherie1n2]

It's hard to say what parts they're picking out. There are so many companies that mill feeds and different ones use different fillers and ingredients..

You have two options.. either put less in the feeders so that they eat everything or switch to pellets depending on their age. You can also moisten the feed so it clumps together and the dust gets stuck to the larger pieces.. but be watchful of feed sticking to the feeders and getting spoiled. I know there are lots of new threads on fermentation... but you have to know the difference between what organisms you want to use to "ferment" and plain yuk!