Am I spoiling them... or is the food switch just not going well?

[henrysue]

I realized a few days ago that my start and grow was just about out, so I've moved to the switch to layer feed (19 weeks old). They've picked all the start and grow out of the mix, and haven't touched the pellets for days.

Every morning before I go to work I give them a treat bowl with left overs or something, and in the last two weeks (even before switching feed) they've started almost attacking me trying to get to the treat bowl.

Unfortunately, I don't have any more start and grow to mix in, and I really don't want to go buy another bag of it. So I guess my questions are:

Will a chicken starve itself, or will it eventually start eating what I give them?
Should I lay off with the treats?
Do I need to go buy more start and grow?

I know they're hungry because they make this moaning noise when I've been slacking with their care and their feed is empty.

Thanks... darn'd chickens...

 

[arlee453]

have you tried spreading out some of the pellets?

Try this....put the pellets in your treat bowl, and then spread it out for them like you would a treat when you go in. Maybe that will clue them in that the pellets are food too?

I've never seen a chicken starve itself. Usually at least ONE of them figures out what the food is and then it's a free-for-all...

 

[LynneP]

I'd be inclined to ease off the treats gradually until they're on the pellets alone, to get the right balance of protein into them. Keep an eye on them, but I'm betting they will adapt. They're like kids, they'll eat what they like even if it isn't the best choice...

 

[henrysue]

Thanks! Less treats and trickery at the same time. Make them excited to eat those pellets! Apricot halfs from the fruit that has fallen from the tree is the treat of the moment, so a little apricot juice to make the pellets more appetizing worked.

Now if they'd just start laying...

 

[antiquebuff]

You can get layer in the crumble also, maybe they would eat that! I have been told some chicks do not like pellets at all.

 

[antiquebuff]

You can get layer in the crumble also, maybe they would eat that!

 

[ginasmarans]

I usually start around 4 months of age and gradually increase the amount of pellets over about a month long period. Make sure you add grit as well.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
Was the starter/grower pellets or crumbles? Mine didn't go for the pellets so I bought a small bag of crumbles and they ate it fine. Layer feed should be fine as they are at the age that they should be getting ready to start laying. I didn't start mine on layer until I got my first egg. Try not giving them their treats for a couple of days and see how it goes.