I just got three 8 week old pullets that I put in with my bantam D'Uccle roo. (He had been boss roo, but the two 9 month old roosters out grew and out hormoned him... he now has a new condo.)
The problem is that they have been COMPLETELY free ranged, and brought up by momma Chicken. They don't seem to know what a feeder is! The three babies are scratching and pecking and trying to catch flies, but not the feed. I tossed some feed out into the run, and they pecked lightly, but not really eating. I have a mealworm "farm" and tossed out a cup of worms and beetles as well.
Slash the roo, bless his heart, is a wonderful rooster. He has spent the last 2 days finding and clucking for his girls to come and eat his goodies, but they are ignoring him! He just gets louder and louder, but they aren't going for it.
I did show them how to get a drink from the nipple waterer, but how do I get them to eat? It is really hot, and I'm sure they are nervous with the new environment. Could this be why?
The problem is that they have been COMPLETELY free ranged, and brought up by momma Chicken. They don't seem to know what a feeder is! The three babies are scratching and pecking and trying to catch flies, but not the feed. I tossed some feed out into the run, and they pecked lightly, but not really eating. I have a mealworm "farm" and tossed out a cup of worms and beetles as well.
Slash the roo, bless his heart, is a wonderful rooster. He has spent the last 2 days finding and clucking for his girls to come and eat his goodies, but they are ignoring him! He just gets louder and louder, but they aren't going for it.
I did show them how to get a drink from the nipple waterer, but how do I get them to eat? It is really hot, and I'm sure they are nervous with the new environment. Could this be why?
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