Chicks wont eat pellets!

[sofia12]

My chicks have just turned 16 and 18 weeks, however they don't seem to be eating any of their growers pellets.

When they were on crumbs, as soon as I'd let them out they'd head straight to their food. Now, they don't seem interested, and are only eating greens, mealworms, corn and various other snacks like yoghurt and cereal.

I've tried enticing them by putting meal worms in with the pellets but they simply pick them out.
Am getting worried as they are at POL now and I still haven't had an egg.

Thanks

 

[chickenlover89]

I don't know why that would be, but they should have been off crumbles around 8 wks, AND they should be going onto layer right now, not grower.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

You can get them layer crumbles instead. I would get layer crumbles and mix in some of the pellets. Some birds just get a preference for the crumbs and it's difficult to get them to go to the pellets after that. Try to transition them slowly.

 

[RonC]

Sounds like they are getting a variety of foods that won't hurt them but don't over do the other stuff. What would you rather have, greens and mealworms or boring pellets/crumbles? I just went to layer crumbles when the time came for an easy transition.
Just before they start laying when you reach down to touch them they will squat instead of just standing there or running off. My PR's started laying right at 18 weeks but they are bred for one purpose. Some of the heritage breeds take longer to start laying.

 

[Happy Chooks]

You can get them layer crumbles instead. I would get layer crumbles and mix in some of the pellets. Some birds just get a preference for the crumbs and it's difficult to get them to go to the pellets after that. Try to transition them slowly.

Yup.

 

[sofia12]

They had crumbs until 8 weeks, then growers, then layers, but as they were still rather small I was advised to keep them on growers till they got a bit bigger.

Does anyone know of a layers crumb I can get in the UK? I've looked everywhere!

 

[chickenlover89]

They had crumbs until 8 weeks, then growers, then layers, but as they were still rather small I was advised to keep them on growers till they got a bit bigger.

Does anyone know of a layers crumb I can get in the UK? I've looked everywhere!

I would just make it into crumbles yourself by hitting it hard with something