Chickens aren’t eating chicken feed

[Baruch]

I’m watching my uncle’s chickens. They purchased 2 as tiny chicks, and they’ve had them for about a month or two.

They left for a 10 day trip, so I’m watching them. My uncle said the chickens aren’t interested in the food. They said I should feed bread and other things.

I made them scrambled eggs, but I’m curious why they aren’t eating their main diet?

The male looks at the food, hesitantly pecks at it, but never actually consumes it.

The chickens have great aim when they find worms or eat eggs. It just seems like they don’t want to eat this food.

What do I do?

 

[Folly's place]

Looks like there's more than one issue here. It's a layer feed, meant for birds who are already laying eggs, not chicks. And they are getting 'goodies' rather than a balanced primary diet. At this point, an unmedicated chick starter, or a 20% protein all flock feed would be best, and not bread!
The critters they find while 'free ranging' are fine, but no extras until they are both eating a balanced diet.
And if that's where they live, it's too small and any predator could easily demolish it and have a chicken dinner. Not your problem, but it's true.
Mary

 

[GlicksChicks]

I agree with @Folly's place about the feed. Layer feed has high amounts of calcium, more than chicks need. Definitely for a young cockerel. That amount of calcium can mess up their insides, and depending on how long they have been eating that layer feed, it already has.

Chicks need more protein and less calcium to grow and the layer feed is not made for raising the chicks on.

It would be best to switch them to chick feed and only allow them to eat that without any added treats. Being given treats often will also make chickens unhealthy.

 

[TooCheep]

^Yup. Also, looks like the bag is split open. It is possible that water has gotten in. Chickens won't and shouldn't eat moldy feed.

Looks like your uncle is paying for premium feed, but really needs some education. That coop is way too small and it is the wrong type of food for this stage in their lives. Please suggest that he join BYC and do some reading. He can learn a bunch and do better by his chickens.

 

[GlicksChicks]

That coop is way too small

I agreee. When I look at that coop, I think maybe a coupl quail, not chickens.

 

[WoDia]

The others are correct about everything they’ve suggested. Also, please remove that piece of tinfoil (inside their little run) as well, so the chicks won’t tear it up and consume it.

 

[The Coop Crew]

The others are correct about everything they’ve suggested. Also, please remove that piece of tinfoil (inside their little run) as well, so the chicks won’t tear it up and consume it.

This. The tin foil is the FIRST thing I noticed.

 

[Baruch]

Thank you guys so much!

I have no idea where the tin foil came from. My uncle and his kids dropped off the coop and chickens last night. I had no idea why it was inside. I’ll remove it.

I noticed the food box was open. I’m shocked that they accidentally purchased layer feed.

Where can I buy chick feed today? I could order it from amazon, but I want it today. I will make sure I tell my uncle everything that you told me. The coop is too small and flimsy, diet, no foil, no treats etc.

I really appreciate the helpful advice.

 

[TooCheep]

I agree. When I look at that coop, I think maybe a coupl quail, not chickens.

A lot of new chicken owners get caught in that trap. Manufacturers of retail coops lie, lie, lie about their capacity. They use factory farm numbers to justify their capacity numbers.

@Baruch- Just for reference, the commonly used numbers for backyard chicken owners are: 1 ft/bird roost, 4 sqft/bird in the coop, 10 sqft/bird in the run area. These numbers are more humane and you have a lot less behavioral issues when the chickens have sufficient space.

If you have a farm store nearby, that is generally the best/fastest place to get feeds- Tractor Supply, Rural King, etc.

 

[Baruch]

I’m letting the chickens roam free under supervision.

Why are there bits and pieces of aluminum foil in the brooding area?!?

I’m going to clean this out today. Ridiculous.

My uncle and my aunt bought this chickens for their kids which are around 4-14 years old. They have 4 kids in total.