Chickens not eating as much as usual

[Alaskan]

Put feeders and waterers in all of the places where they hide

 

[Raptorsgocluck]

The young chicks were ordered and raised in a brooder. They kind of sperate themselves from the older chickens even in the coop. Is that a normal thing they will do until they mature? Because the chicks weren't raised by a momma and taught how to forage will they just pick it up as they mature? I'm trying to make a situation where the chickens forage for their food and I just supplement feed as needed for them since I'm not sure they can survive on what land I have from foraging alone. The young chickens seem to totally rely on the feed I provide.

 

[Alaskan]

I would bet that most of the issue is that they think they have to hide in order to survive.

When they are bigger, more mature, and more confident they will probably go out and about and forage.

But now... they are just terrified and starving.

 

[Raptorsgocluck]

I would bet that most of the issue is that they think they have to hide in order to survive.

When they are bigger, more mature, and more confident they will probably go out and about and forage.

But now... they are just terrified and starving.

Ok, so put more food and water scattered more and around where the younger chicks like to hide? The adults do hang out with the younger ones in their hiding spots with em (I figured they hide during the heat of the day to stay out of the direct sun. I'm in NC and the sun gets quite brutal even this time if year) but the adults come out throughout the day to roam around for a bit then go back to hiding with the younger ones. The younger ones pretty much stay hiding all day long and only really come out after about 5 pm.

 

[Alaskan]

Ok, so put more food and water scattered more and around where the younger chicks like to hide?

Yep.... but stand there a bit and watch the dynamics.

See what you have to shift about to make sure the young ones get feed.

 

[Raptorsgocluck]

Yep.... but stand there a bit and watch the dynamics.

See what you have to shift about to make sure the young ones get feed.

I decided to try something this morning, I put out dry food in 2 dishes and fermented food in the other 2. I put out the fermented food first and everyone started picking a little. Then I put out the dry food and after I poured into the first one the entire flock was climbing over each other to get to it. I poured the last bowl and all the birds were still going at the first dry food. They finished it and all moved on to the other dry food almost as a group. Maybe I'm doing something wrong with the wet feed that they won't really eat it?

 

[Alaskan]

Sounds like they don't want to eat the wet feed

 

[DellaMyDarling]

I thoroughly enjoy setting up camp outside, with my phone on the forums, and just casually observing my birds, my dog, the wildlife. A few minutes at a time, preferably longer, goes a long way to understanding the animals.

Is it possible to place your older birds in the coop during the day, or is your coop not large enough? That may give the youngsters some time to explore stress free.
Observing them for a bit may reveal things that you didn't realize though.

In terms of the bush...my hens have found a huge bush to claim as their official chicken clubhouse. They do leave it, but it has become a focal point of their daily lives. Chickens like shrubs!

 

[Raptorsgocluck]

I thoroughly enjoy setting up camp outside, with my phone on the forums, and just casually observing my birds, my dog, the wildlife. A few minutes at a time, preferably longer, goes a long way to understanding the animals.

Is it possible to place your older birds in the coop during the day, or is your coop not large enough? That may give the youngsters some time to explore stress free.
Observing them for a bit may reveal things that you didn't realize though.

In terms of the bush...my hens have found a huge bush to claim as their official chicken clubhouse. They do leave it, but it has become a focal point of their daily lives. Chickens like shrubs!

I do the same, love coming home after work and sitting out in the hammock with a drink watching the chickens. I also have a camera of the entire back yard (for security) but I mostly watch the chickens with it. Lol. I think they had to just get used to the new roo. This morning the young chicks almost ran him over getting to the food. And they are eating much better since I switched to dry food instead of wet. I worry easily so I thought maybe disease at first. I never had a disease issue in my flock yet so I have no experience with what specifically to look for. Only that something is different.