Chickens won’t eat feed

[Acre4Me]

Thank you! I think part of the problem is they were on grower/starter when I got them and they just don't like the layer crumbles. I'm going to definitely follow your suggestions, and I'm going to try another brand of organic layer feed. Blessings

True! I’ve noticed that they do have not always eat certain feeds as well as others, so it’s good for you to try another brand/type.

 

[Nofowlplay]

They can stay on grower feed their whole life, if isn't much different than an all flock type feed. Just be sure to add oyster shell on the side.

Thanks...did not know this!

 

[Nofowlplay]

Don't........seriously. Stop messing with their feed by adding to it. Just put out plain commercially produced feed. They will eat it when they are hungry. If you see them stop laying (for like a week straight), standing in one spot for hours looking weak, etc.... then you can start to worry. Until then, put out the regular feed and walk away from the feeders!

I would not wait till they were sick before I intervened.

 

[Nofowlplay]

Chickens are creatures of habit. They have a habit of eating certain things right now, but they need to move to eating their balanced feed that has the right nutrients.

My chickens really think that wet feed is a treat!! They run over and practically lick the containers clean! I use pelleted grower feed, add water and wait 10 min...add more water if needed to a pancake batter consistency (their preference). I might stir in some scrambled egg or rehydrated alfalfa, and sometimes sprinkle some seeds or grains on top. Important to keep in mind protein percentages too. I use a 20% grower feed. Alfafa is 16% protein minimum, so their protein content is not taken below what a chicken generally needs (15-16% minimum).

True treats should be 10% or less of their food intake. However, at this point, you need to re-train them. Either give them only pelleted feed (and absolutely nothing else but that and water) or try a "treat" of wet feed. Try a bin with really wet feed - like thinner pancake batter, and another bin with thicker wet feed - more of a consistency of oatmeal (some BYCers find this is the texture preference for their flock) and you'll find out what your flock likes.

Good Luck.

So far so good! They ate about 1/3 of the 3 cups wet with a scrambled egg. Their little crops were full by the time I let them out in the run! Thank you again! I've never had such picky eaters!

 

[Little Jerry Seinfeld]

Mine all think wet food is the food of Gods. And when its warm enough to actually ferment it they really love it. Just starting to be able to ferment again without it turning to giant icecubes!

 

[Acre4Me]

So far so good! They ate about 1/3 of the 3 cups wet with a scrambled egg. Their little crops were full by the time I let them out in the run! Thank you again! I've never had such picky eaters!View attachment 1703500

Glad to hear! Isn't it funny that wet feed is so loved by many chickens! I only tried it bc my neighbor (and old and practical guy) put the hose on the chicken feed when it was really hot out...and said they loved it, so I tried it...and mine loved it too!

 

[Nofowlplay]

Mine all think wet food is the food of Gods. And when its warm enough to actually ferment it they really love it. Just starting to be able to ferment again without it turning to giant icecubes!

Can you give me a quick recipe for fermented feed? Thanks!

 

[Kiki]

Can you give me a quick recipe for fermented feed? Thanks!

A few cups of feed...cover it with water and leave it be for a couple of days.
That is it.
Nothing more.

 

[Kiki]

I would not wait till they were sick before I intervened.

They are going to get sick before you have a chance to notice with all the treats and drop dead over night from fatty liver disease.

 

[Kiki]

I don't know if this has been mentioned above or not but on average a chicken should eat about 3/4 cup worth of food per day.