4 year chickens not eating layer feed! Help please!

[Necall]

I have 2 4 yr old polish hens. Up until about 2 months ago they had a rooster companion. Unfortunately he was attacked by a fischer and hasnt been seen again. Anyway my hens are not eating layer pellets and thier run is dried up. I am concerned how they are living at all. They eat the grain out of the scratch but seem to eat nothing else. What am i doing wrong? Thier eggs are getting sparse ans the shells are weak. I have oyster shell available to them but they just dump it! What should i do? Should i pick grass and feed them that?

 

[Marty1876]

Have they been wormed? Its natural at their age for eggs to slack off, and they may be going into a mout, both of which would probobly effect their appetites.

You migh worm them and let them free range a week, to cheer them up and be sure they are well.

 

[Chicks on DL]

Cook them some eggs and see if that helps. Also, mine go bananas for tomatoes. Sounds like they miss their companion, also I believe chickens are happier in groups of three or more. But make sure they don't have worms or mites first.

 

[Necall]

How can i tell if they have worms or mites? Also i have a hard time free ranging them as i work alot of hours and live in the woods. I used to let them out but thats how my rooster got grabbed.yes they like all sorts of veggies to but i only have so much waste.

 

[ghulst]

Four year old chickens are ready to be made into soup. Get new stock.

 

[donrae]

Quit feeding them the scratch and they'll eat the layer feed. Two hens that size really won't eat much, say less than 1/2 cup feed per day.

 

[seminolewind]

They may like it if you take layer feed and make mush out of it with water. My chickens can't turn it down.
Did they always eat pellets?

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quit feeding them the scratch and they'll eat the layer feed. Two hens that size really won't eat much, say less than 1/2 cup feed per day.

There's the best answer so far

Don't OFFER more food until they eat all that's there