Chickens won't eat there food.

[Trista321]

They won't eat there starter/grower food. I go out in the morning and give them there greens and a small amount of bird seed which is there favorite. But I have not had to refil there big feeder in a week. Am I giving them treats to much? Feed gone bad?

 

[HEChicken]

How old are they?

 

[Trista321]

They are 14 weeks old

 

[HEChicken]

If the chick starter is medicated, they are a little old to still be eating that. At that age I would switch to a grower formula like Purina Flock Raiser or Nutrena All Flock. Then I would cut out the bird seed altogether and save it for an occasional treat when they are older. They won't starve themselves so will eat their food when there is nothing else available. Scratch and bird seed is like candy to them so it is natural they will eat it first, but if they fill up on that, they won't be interested in the food they really need to be eating.

 

[Trista321]

It'd not medicated feed. Do they sell that brand at Tractor Supply? I will cut the birdseed out. The greens(chopped fresh spinach) still ok to give? They aren't free range.

 

[HEChicken]

Yes, I think greens are essential to their health - good job!

If its not medicated, it should be fine to keep feeding them that for a few more weeks, or yes, TSC does sell the Purina Flock Raiser. I usually switch over to layer pellets between 16-18 weeks of age, depending on when I run out of a bag of the grower feed.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

You can also try tossing out the regular feed just as you would a treat like the bird seed or scratch. When I go out to sit with my birds in the evening after work (my decompression time) I will take a scoop of crumbles with me and feed it to them by scattering and hand feeding -- they gobble it up just like they do scratch when it's offered this way because it *must* be a treat when it isn't in the feeder, lol. That said, I've not had any issues with them not eating it out of the feeder either so not sure if this would help you or not. I would cut back on treats a bit to encourage consumption of the staple diet.

 

[Trista321]

Thanks for the info guys. Will head out today and get new food. The hand feeding is a good idea to get them back eating food not treats.

 

[Trista321]

Well I only gave greens yesterday and today plus there regular food ( new food). They are a bit pissy with me but when they get hungry they will eat I am sure. I feel bad that I spoiled them and now have to take treats away.