Chickens won't eat layer feed. Only want starter. Need suggestions.

[klbaker75]

I've been feeding them Nature's Best from TSC starter and now they're laying and won't eat the layer version. The starter is light tan in color and the layer is green. They just hate it. I have four different flocks and only one flock will slightly tolerate it. There's nothing wrong with the feed. I've tried multiple different bags. I have one hen who has developed an impaction from stuffing up on grass bc she refuses to eat it. She just started laying again and I don't have any other feed out there that I can use. I really feel strongly about organic as their feed source. Is there any way to still feed her the starter and supplement the calcium? She's got access to oyster shells but won't eat them. She really is a stubborn gal. I would rather not go with GMO feed but at the same time I don't want her to have egg issues. Thanks for any help.

 

[LikeTurkeys]

I've been feeding them Nature's Best from TSC starter and now they're laying and won't eat the layer version. The starter is light tan in color and the layer is green. They just hate it. I have four different flocks and only one flock will slightly tolerate it. There's nothing wrong with the feed. I've tried multiple different bags. I have one hen who has developed an impaction from stuffing up on grass bc she refuses to eat it. She just started laying again and I don't have any other feed out there that I can use. I really feel strongly about organic as their feed source. Is there any way to still feed her the starter and supplement the calcium? She's got access to oyster shells but won't eat them. She really is a stubborn gal. I would rather not go with GMO feed but at the same time I don't want her to have egg issues. Thanks for any help.

She may be eating the oyster shells without you noticing (unless you're watching you're chickens 24/7) They only need a little bit each day. Continuing to feed the starter with oyster shell free choice on the side is in my opinion okay. It's green because it's organic?

How long have you tried feeding the layer? It may be just a short bout of stubbornness. Maybe try mixing it with some treat they like at first so that they are encouraged to eat it.

 

[analyticalblonde]

Have you tried the 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, 100 approach?

Basically, you start off with blending 75% starter with 25% layer for a week or so, then go 50/50 and so on...this way it may help with the transition to only layer feed. If that doesn't work, you may need to do the same but with a different layer feed that looks and taste more appealing...I had to go through different layer feeds until the one they loved the most - Small Pet Select, Garden Goodness Layer Feed with Botanicals (corn-free, soy-free, non-GMO). A little bit more expensive but SOOOOO much healthier.

 

[klbaker75]

She may be eating the oyster shells without you noticing (unless you're watching you're chickens 24/7) They only need a little bit each day. Continuing to feed the starter with oyster shell free choice on the side is in my opinion okay. It's green because it's organic?

How long have you tried feeding the layer? It may be just a short bout of stubbornness. Maybe try mixing it with some treat they like at first so that they are encouraged to eat it.

I’m really not sure why it’s green. It’s the same brand. Just the calcium is added to make it layer feed. Two other flocks won’t eat it either. I have one group that will but lately their appetite has trailed off as well. She will eat egg shells fed back to her that I bake in the oven and crunch up though.

 

[klbaker75]

Have you tried the 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, 100 approach?

Basically, you start off with blending 75% starter with 25% layer for a week or so, then go 50/50 and so on...this way it may help with the transition to only layer feed. If that doesn't work, you may need to do the same but with a different layer feed that looks and taste more appealing...I had to go through different layer feeds until the one they loved the most - Small Pet Select, Garden Goodness Layer Feed with Botanicals (corn-free, soy-free, non-GMO). A little bit more expensive but SOOOOO much healthier.

I will check those out. It seems to have to do with the color. I know southern states had non organic feed (it’s gmo though) that is the same color as my starter but I’m nervous about the hormonal side effects I’ve heard gmo can cause. I did try mixing it in half and half but that’s the first day she just started with the undigested grass coming out in her stool. My brother had her since a chick and kept them in a small run with no access to grass. I got her in October last year (she is 3) and it’s been hard getting her gizzard to work again. She had zero grit in her. Anyway I think the green feed set her over the edge. I did switch back tonight and will see how she does. And as for your layer what color is it? This one is a very light tan. Not a chocolate color like some others I’ve seen. They are partial to that color.

 

[MGG]

What's the mill date on it? Is it fresh?

 

[klbaker75]

What's the mill date on it? Is it fresh?

It was made this year and looks and smells great. I’m really picky about date of packing.

 

[analyticalblonde]

I will check those out. It seems to have to do with the color. I know southern states had non organic feed (it’s gmo though) that is the same color as my starter but I’m nervous about the hormonal side effects I’ve heard gmo can cause. I did try mixing it in half and half but that’s the first day she just started with the undigested grass coming out in her stool. My brother had her since a chick and kept them in a small run with no access to grass. I got her in October last year (she is 3) and it’s been hard getting her gizzard to work again. She had zero grit in her. Anyway I think the green feed set her over the edge. I did switch back tonight and will see how she does. And as for your layer what color is it? This one is a very light tan. Not a chocolate color like some others I’ve seen. They are partial to that color.

Make sure she has free access to grit as well as calcium. If her gizzard is lacking grit, she could be in for a world of problems...some grit is really large and some more appropriate in my opinion for standard-sized chickens like Manna Pro's Grit.

I've posted a picture of the feed I give my girls...the green you see in their feed is split green peas.

 

[analyticalblonde]

Make sure she has free access to grit as well as calcium. If her gizzard is lacking grit, she could be in for a world of problems...some grit is really large and some more appropriate in my opinion for standard-sized chickens like Manna Pro's Grit.

I've posted a picture of the feed I give my girls...the green you see in their feed is split green peas.

Also, feel her crop to make sure it isn't impacted. Pick her up, holding her safely and firmly with your right hand against your chest and feel her chest to the right side. You should feel something that is similar to a balloon...if she's got a lot of grass inside her crop, you may need to help her get that out...it will block the feed she needs.

 

[klbaker75]

Also, feel her crop to make sure it isn't impacted. Pick her up, holding her safely and firmly with your right hand against your chest and feel her chest to the right side. You should feel something that is similar to a balloon...if she's got a lot of grass inside her crop, you may need to help her get that out...it will block the feed she needs.

It started out only her gizzard. I’ve been checking her crop each morning and yesterday there was a golf ball sized lump. I fed her raw egg to soften and bind to the contents which usually works well. It was half the size this morning but she was so thirsty that I didn’t do the egg this morning too. It has to be done with no water or other feed for a few hours to work best. She has grit. In fact I’ve been putting some in bread and giving it to her. Not a lot but I don’t see them pick at it much. She was eating some off our gravel driveway tonight. She also kept trying to eat hard white plastic shards off the driveway as well so I had to put her back in the house. She was eating shavings so I took those out as well yesterday and am keeping her off grass a while until everything hopefully settles.