Emergency Feeding Advice Please

[Lillyk24]

Hello everyone, I am new to the group. I have 7 chickens for about 8 months now. They are a little over a year now. OK, my issue is that they have never had a problem not eating, but since last week they have hardly eaten any of their food. The only change was that I put a few handfuls of oyster shells in with their regular food. I know now they don't like that. But this morning I emptied all the food and oyster shells out and gave them new food. They are still not eating. But when I gave them a handful of cracked corn and wheat, they couldn't get it fast enough. Then when I had a handful of their regular food, they used their beaks and pushed it away. Never seen this before. Any suggestions or advice? Oh and a little bit ago I gave them leftover turkey that we had for dinner, they are sweet girls, but they were fighting with each other to get to me, jumping on one another and such. They wouldn't starve themselves right?

Thank you!

 

[drumstick diva]

Can't be sure chickens wouldn't starve themselves. Who knows what goes on in a chicken's brain? Corn to them is like candy to kids. So they turn their beaks up at nutritious feed. It's best not to give treats since yours refuse the real stuff. They may not like the new food because it's new - you could try the old stuff but, moisten it a bit with water. Some people find chickens like it much better that way. Or the type - maybe they don't like pellets but would like mash.

You should also put the crushed oyster shell in its own container - left out so they can have it free choice (not dumped in their food). Hens will eat it only if they feel the need for more calcium. Roosters who never lay eggs and itty bitty chicks should not have all that calcium - it can ruin their kidneys. Nor layer feed, which is for hens actively laying.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would get a different bag of feed, there must be something wrong with it, did you smell it, does it smell different. Always offer your oyster shells in a separate dish, they don't consume very much of it so it often seems like they aren't eating it but they will as they need it.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - you have some great advice already so I'll just say hello!

All the best
CT

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[NickyKnack]

There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to join the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around the run. Good luck with your girls!

 

[N F C]

You've received some good advice already so I'll just say hello, it's nice to have you here!

P.S. I once accidently bought feed in the pellet form and the girls would not eat it until I crushed it for them. You only have to make that mistake once with a 50-lb. bag to learn!

 

[Opendoorfarm]

Wanted to send you a welcome!
Blessings from our farm to yours!

 

[candy yoke]

Also check for lice or mites this can put them off their food, long shot,just saying. Good luck xxx