Egg producer

[DebbieO]

Hi Everyone. I just started my girls on egg producer (they are 19 weeks old). I have had the feed out for 2 days (one feeder in the coop and one feeder in the run, just like always and it doesn't seem like they have touched it! I stopped giving them scraps in hopes they will eventually feed on it but nothing yet. Any suggestions?

 

[mstricer]

I won't feed in your coop, you are likely to get mice or rats in there

 

[chfite]

Are you sure that they are not eating? It seems strange to me that an animal would starve itself in the presence of food.

I feed mine in the coop to keep songbirds from eating the feed and protect the feed from the weather. Plus I don't have to lift the feeder from the ground to clean or fill it.

Chris

 

[DebbieO]

chfite, you may be right. I am just going to have to monitor closer, being a new mother I might be panicking. I just seems like they ate the chick starter feed faster.

 

[1muttsfan]

I also feed my birds inside the coop without problems. It is usually best to mix new food with the old for a short time to allow the birds to become accustomed to the new feed.

 

[DebbieO]

That sounds like a good idea to mix. Ill try it. thanks 1muttsfan

 

[mstricer]

I also feed my birds inside the coop without problems. It is usually best to mix new food with the old for a short time to allow the birds to become accustomed to the new feed.

Are you sure that they are not eating? It seems strange to me that an animal would starve itself in the presence of food.

I feed mine in the coop to keep songbirds from eating the feed and protect the feed from the weather. Plus I don't have to lift the feeder from the ground to clean or fill it.

Chris

I was doing that and the songbirds were still getting the feed by going in the pop door. You may not notice mice, then rats, but once the mice are there rats follow and they will eat eggs, chicks and attack your chickens at night. It took me months before I noticed what was happening, It started with eggs missing, then chicks disappearing right out from their mothers. They dug holes under my coop and run. I finally shot them and stopped leaving feed out anywhere at night.

 

[Camp Leader]

I use a 12 lb feeder. I watch the girls charge the crows. They are keeping them away so far. I was feeding in the coop, but they made such a mess and wasted so much food. Had to put a stop to it.