Chickens won't eat anything but feed...

[adegiulio]

I picked up some RIR pullet chicks about a month and a half ago. Now that it's warmer out, I've been putting them out in their chicken tractor, along with their water. They peck and peck, but they dont seem to eat anything. When I return them to the coop a few hours later, they attack the feeder like they've been in prison for a week. These are my first chicks, and I was under the impression that they loved weeds and grass and such. Are they just not old enough?

Thanks for any help...

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[HEChicken]

They are probably eating more grass than you realize. When they eat grass, they tear it off into tiny little pieces as it is easier to digest that way. Attacking the feeder afterwards is completely normal. They are programmed to keep filling and filling that crop as full as it will go. Then in the coop at night, they'll digest it all and come out in the morning with an empty crop ready to be filled again. A few days ago I watched my Red Star catch and kill a full grown mouse, then immediately go over to the coop and eat some pellets, as though a whole mouse in her crop was not enough!

In addition to my full grown hens, I currently have four chicks in a tractor (about 6 weeks old). I have a feeder with pellets in it in the tractor. They eat a lot of grass and I'm also introducing them to kitchen scraps, but they empty the feeder on a regular basis too.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

At that age they eat and need a lot of food. I also keep food in the tractor for young chickens and food available in the coop for adults that are free ranging. The adults will free range all day long, even though there is food in the coop. I leave it up to the chickens, to eat what they want and how much they want.

I think the adults that are free have a better chance of finding more bugs and worms, plus I have legumes planted in the pasture, as well as grass. Growing chickens need more protein than adult chickens do, too. Your chickens may not be getting enough protein on just the grass. It kind of depends on your individual situation, how many bugs you have, if you are moving the tractor daily and how crowded it is.

 

[teach1rusl]

I would definitely keep food and water available in the tractor. Mine are adults, have tons of bugs and grass available, and are still offered free choice feed. In a tractor, their bug source is very limited.

 

[adegiulio]

Yeah, I can see how they would be hungry without access to their feed. I dont know how many bugs they are eating, but it sure doesn't seem like they are eating any grass or weeds. From now on I'll be sure to put some food out with them...

Thanks for the input.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

They might get better at eating the grass after they have more exposure to it. Chicks have to learn to eat all new foods by experimenting. After a snowy winter, my girls are wild to get the fresh spring grass.