Chicken feed problems

[lovemy6hens]

I didn't see the old-fashioned layer feed on the website posted above.

 

[Chris King]

A few possibilities, assuming it's a commercial chicken feed:

- the feed is tainted; mycotoxins (fungal toxins) are fairly common in feeds containing grain, particularly corn (should say on the list of ingredients; the first 2 or 3 ingredients listed usually comprise a grain of some sort - corn, oats, wheat, etc.); mycotoxins in mixed feeds generally aren't visible, unless the feed got wet and clumped then went moldy; most often, the first sign is that the animals won't eat it

- the fats have gone rancid; fats in animal feeds oxidize when exposed to air, so it's not uncommon for palatability to decrease towards the end of a big bag of feed

- it's not formulated to be attractive to chickens, which are omnivores, so they like a bit of meaty flavor in their food

- a problem at the feed mill, e.g., too much salt

So, stick your nose in the bag and take a good whiff; also taste it if you're an omnivore, too (although don't taste it if you think it's "off"). Check the bag for clumping (which indicates that some of the feed got wet and thus is prone to mold). The five senses can be remarkably useful for problem solving.

Good luck.

 

[cute bantams]

Ok Chris thanks for the suggestions can't let anyone see me sampling the chicken food though LOL

 

[cute bantams]

I didn't see the old-fashioned layer feed on the website posted above.

I do not know why it's not listed some websites don't list all of their products???? So idk but we do buy it from our local feed store

 

[Chris King]

Ok Chris thanks for the suggestions can't let anyone see me sampling the chicken food though LOL

I won't look.

I'm blessed (but sometimes cursed) with a very sensitive nose, so I always start by shoving my head in the bag and taking a good whiff.

If it doesn't smell good to you, chances are it isn't very palatable to your chickens (so no need to taste it . Even if you wouldn't eat it yourself, you can still get an idea of whether or not it's appetizing for the intended target.

 

[lovemy6hens]

We also buy it from our local feed store. I hadn't seen the website before.

 

[lovemy6hens]

Thank you, @Chris King! The girls seem to like what I eat, so maybe I'll like theirs too.

 

[cute bantams]

I know I go outside and everything that I have they want even if it's bad for them they especially like to try and eat skittles LOL

 

[cute bantams]

I smelled the chicken feed and it smells kind of like mustardy grain I could see myself eating it if it wasn't abnormal to do so it almost smell like saltwater aquariums like when you don't change the water in time don't know if anyone here has any experience with aquariums though

 

[cute bantams]

Oh one more thing we keep the feed In a plastic trash can so idk if that has anything to do with it ? The trash can has only been used for chicken feed so nothing could have left a residue that the ladies find unpalatable