Chickens almost exclusively eating scratch

[MrsEarthern]

To be clear the issue was that they don't seem to like the layer feed. I've got four roos currently, in addition to two pullets. I understand that the roos shouldn't be on a layer feed but it was literally the only option and I still haven't been able to find any all-flock locally.
Is the layer feed more nutritionally dense and they just don't need as much of it or..?
They were eating just under a quarter pound of feed each per day on the all-flock and it seems to be less than half that on the layer feed whether it was wet or dry, and I was adding water or pushing the feed down multiple times per day so it wasn't that they weren't eating because they couldn't access the food.

 

[3KillerBs]

Is the layer feed more nutritionally dense and they just don't need as much of it or..?

Actually, the layer feed is relatively low in protein -- bare minimum levels -- and it has too much calcium for birds that aren't laying.

The flock can eat chick feed their entire lives if you can't get all-flock.

My experience is that when I have to buy layer because I can't get their regular feed they go through the bag considerably faster because they eat more to compensate for the lower protein levels.

But there is also an effect where, depending on the design of your feeder, you may see a savings using pellet -- if the feeder allows considerable spillage.

And there is also a point, right after the girls reach point of lay, where their growth slows so they don't eat quite as much -- just like when human teens reach full adult size and stop seemingly eating their own weight daily.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I understand that the roos shouldn't be on a layer feed but it was literally the only option and I still haven't been able to find any all-flock locally.

Can you get unmedicated starter instead? Grower? They're often nutritionally similar to most all flock feeds, if you check the nutrition panel.

 

[MrsEarthern]

The layer feed is 16% protein, the brand is Formax and the Feed & Seed said it was the same amount of protein as the all-flock they were on. Formax was the brand they said had the lowest Calcium of what they carry. My local store hasn't sold Start & Grow since end of July/beginning of August and our Petsmart only carries scratch and mealworms.
I had been giving them mealworms, black soldier fly larva and grasshoppers on the evenings they don't forage, but the run is surrounded by garden and we have lots of bugs.
Would low protein be the cause of them eating sparrows and moles?

 

[MrsEarthern]

And there is also a point, right after the girls reach point of lay, where their growth slows so they don't eat quite as much -- just like when human teens reach full adult size and stop seemingly eating their own weight daily.

My birds are about 26 weeks- supposed to be Blue Australorp-Buff Orpington crosses, but I think my girls have more Plymouth blue Rock. One of my pullets has had a redder comb and wattles for about a month now, my other pullet has a really small pink/white comb but her wattles have gotten bigger and redder over the last few weeks.

 

[3KillerBs]

Feed & Seed said it was the same amount of protein as the all-flock they were on.

That would be very unusual because all-flock feeds are generally 18-20% protein.

Would low protein be the cause of them eating sparrows and moles?

No, they do that because they really are little dinosaurs.

Chickens are omnivores that eat everything that doesn't eat them first.

 

[3KillerBs]

My birds are about 26 weeks-

Yes, that's about the time I've noticed their feed consumption level off.

 

[MrsEarthern]

That would be very unusual because all-flock feeds are generally 18-20% protein.



No, they do that because they really are little dinosaurs.

Chickens are omnivores that eat everything that doesn't eat them first.

They had a 16% and 18% all-flock and layer feed most of this year but people in town decided to stock up for Winter and I missed the memo. Online or waiting for the Feed & Seed to restock is 1 month plus of wait time so I bugged them with a bunch of 'make-do until then' questions; honestly wouldn't be too surprised if they just told me crap to shut me up.
And yes, they are fluffy dinosaurs, glad to hear it's normal behavior because everyone I've asked about it has acted appalled.

 

[3Xgranny]

I would completely stop feeding scratch and only offer a pelleted or crumbled feed immediately.
Hopefully changing their diet now will prevent deadly issues that are bound to happen if you continue to feed only scratch and table scraps.

I do give them laying pellets and corn. How can I keep them in a pen.

 

[MrsEarthern]

I do give them laying pellets and corn. How can I keep them in a pen.

Hi there, do you know what breed your birds are? Bantams usually need about 5-10 square feet of run space, while bigger standard sized birds need 10-15 square feet of run space.
Larger and more active birds should have more room to move around.
I have six standard sized birds right now, but I built my run to be just over 300 square feet so that I can increase my flock size without having to rebuild the run each year.