5.5 month old silkies won't eat

[Kate3a]

Hi I have a rooster silkie and a hen silkie, they are 5 and a half months old and they won't eat the chicken crumble anymore! I wanted to know if its OK to put then on layer food yet as I can't seem to find pre layer pellets anywhere. The hen is much smaller than rooster and a lot skinnier. I have had them since the day they hatched so are extremely important to me. If anyone could help with what to feed them that would be great. Thanks

 

[donddon]

You really don't want to feed the rooster layer formula. I suspect however, there is a health issue. It's unusual for birds to suddenly stop eating their usual feed.

 

[Kate3a]

You really don't want to feed the rooster layer formula. I suspect however, there is a health issue. It's unusual for birds to suddenly stop eating their usual feed.

Thanks for your reply. How can I feed them both in the same pen? Its not their normal feed I had to switch back to crumble after i couldn't purchase the pre layer pellets. I have been giving them cooked pasta, chopped up fruit and veg and a scatter type supplement free range mix of seeds.

 

[FuzzyCritters]

You can feed them grower food or flock raiser food, and have oyster shell on the side for the hen. Hens don't need layer food if they have a calcium supplement on the side.

 

[donddon]

Thanks for your reply. How can I feed them both in the same pen? Its not their normal feed I had to switch back to crumble after i couldn't purchase the pre layer pellets. I have been giving them cooked pasta, chopped up fruit and veg and a scatter type supplement free range mix of seeds.

Exactly what FuzzyCritters said.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have been giving them cooked pasta, chopped up fruit and veg and a scatter type supplement free range mix of seeds.

This is why they won't eat their standard feed... stop the excess treats and they WILL eat chicken crumble UNLESS they are having health issues.. If they're eating the treats though.. it's THAT.

Use a starter, grower, flock raiser, all flock, meat bird crumble.. or anything else.. and offer oyster shell free choice on the side for the active layer.. I never use layer feed.. with this routine and it works well.. especially for silkies I would never use layer feed.. They need more nutrients.

ETA: Welcome to BYC!