Changing food

[bibi62]

I changed my girls from medicated starter to Layena Plus omega 3, as my babies were starting to give me some awesome eggs. Now, they decided that they don't like their food and don't want to eat it. How long do I give them to get use to it before I try something else? They free range all day and I also give them some fruits and vegetables every morning.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Have you tried fermenting it? FF is awesome, and chickies tend to love any feed that's been fermented.

 

[Rick&chickTampa]

I am pretty new at this myself but I was told to mix new food with old food, so I made a batch of 80% old and 20 % new. After I use a scoop or 2 I add another scoop of new to the mix.

 

[junebuggena]

A healthy bird will not starve itself. Just wait it out. They will eat the layer feed when they get hungry enough.

 

[barred2rock]

I am pretty new at this myself but I was told to mix new food with old food, so I made a batch of 80% old and 20 % new. After I use a scoop or 2 I add another scoop of new to the mix.

A healthy bird will not starve itself. Just wait it out. They will eat the layer feed when they get hungry enough.

This...

 

[Purina]

I changed my girls from medicated starter to Layena Plus omega 3, as my babies were starting to give me some awesome eggs. Now, they decided that they don't like their food and don't want to eat it. How long do I give them to get use to it before I try something else? They free range all day and I also give them some fruits and vegetables every morning.

Hi bibi62, great question! This is a common scenario we hear about on our Facebook page too.

It’s not always a matter of chickens liking or disliking the new feed. Instead, it has to do with consistency. Chickens are birds of habit and like eating the same complete feed each day. Here's an easy way to make the change gradually:

1. Start by sprinkling a handful of the new feed on top of the current feed.
2. Over the next 7-10 days, increase the amount of new feed being added each day. Stir the feeds together, so birds are eating both old and new feed.
3. By the end of the 7-10 day period, the feeder should contain only the new feed and the transition is complete.