Fancified pellets

[Scatty Hatti]

Hi all
My two girls stopped eating layers 18 months ago and stopped laying 9 months ago. They are 3 and a half years old.
One was poorly recently but seems to have recovered - but they will STILL not touch layers. They like seeds (eg Dari and sunflower) but I've been told they can only be a very small part of what they eat each day. They dont like oats. They quite like salt free cooked pasta but it gives them very few nutrients, plus attracts flies and is hassle to keep cooking. They do like meal worms in moderation, uncooked greens, fruit and corn but again, I am told these are all treats and mustnt make up what they eat mostly. I wouldnt say they free-range as such but have a large yard with grass, shrubs and gravel and seem to be continually pecking at the ground although I cant see if they are actually finding food or not. They are not thin and seem fairly healthy. I would like to give them some layers each day only because they will get some proteins, vits and minerals...but how? I wondered about 'enhancing' the layers in some way. Tried wetting. Nope. Tried a tiny pinch of sugar. Nope. Next thing is to make them red (they like tomato and radish, the colour seems to have something to do with it) but how? Dont want to give them chemicals like food coluring and if I put bits of radish and tomato in with them they'll simply pick them out, the crafty pair. . Any suggestions please or easy alternative feeds? Here in UK we are not supposed to give them table scraps. We do now and again but have to make sure theyre not salty - but quite often they leave these as well. I do not mind they dont lay anymore - just want them to enjoy life while they can. As far as I can see they eat nothing right now. Very grateful for any help.

 

[HoneyBeeHomestead]

Have you tried different brands of pellets, or a different texture like crumbles or mash? They may like something like "Kalmbach Henhouse Reserve," although I'm not sure if you can get that in the UK, maybe you could get something similar? They might choose to pick through that and only eat the good parts. If you haven't tried different brands/textures, I'd start there.

 

[nuthatched]

Buy a bag of fresh pellets, fill the feeder and leave it. Don't give them anything else, especially seeds, pasta.
No healthy animal will not eat good food when provided.
They're very likely just spoiled since they know you bring them tastier "chips and candy".
Does the feed smell fine? Is it fresh?

 

[The Moonshiner]

Buy a bag of fresh pellets, fill the feeder and leave it. Don't give them anything else, especially seeds, pasta.
No healthy animal will not eat good food when provided.
They're very likely just spoiled since they know you bring them tastier "chips and candy".
Does the feed smell fine? Is it fresh?

X2

 

[FrostRanger]

Agree with buying fresh pellets but since they aren't laying I'd switch to all flock or chick starter as they don't need the extra calcium in layer and too much calcium can cause issues long term. Just keep crushed oyster shell on the side in case they do need extra calcium. I also agree that you should cut out treats for now and only give them their feed, they'll eat it eventually if they're hungry. Sometimes animals need tough love to thrive

 

[Scatty Hatti]

Thanks everyone. One of the two clearly has gapeworm (again) and is really suffering. Not surprising she doesnt want to eat. Have started her off this morning on wormer (tiny piece of bread with a few tiny specs of Flubenvet) which she has taken. Had this once before but what I didnt do was reworm her 3 weeks later..so will make sure I do that from now on. The other one is fine but doesnt eat except bread. I know that isnt good for them either but I feel I should give her something each day, even just 20 to 30 grams. Is this a definite no-no? Could try to crush into it some vit/min mix as well. I wish they did pellet paste (like jam....), then I could make her a pellet sandwich.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Because you keep giving in and giving them extras they have no reason to eat their feed.

Bread really isn't very nutritious for poultry, a tiny bit for the purpose of worming is one thing but just handing out bread as their food is another. They wouldn't need additional vitamins and such mixed in if they simply ate their feed.

 

[Scatty Hatti]

Because you keep giving in and giving them extras they have no reason to eat their feed.

Bread really isn't very nutritious for poultry, a tiny bit for the purpose of worming is one thing but just handing out bread as their food is another. They wouldn't need additional vitamins and such mixed in if they simply ate their feed.

You are quite right Rosemarythyme. Sadly one of my two lovely girls passed away this afternoon. I am so upset....have not stopped crying. Its crazy isnt it? Just hens.... She had a god life though and is now resting in peace under our cherry tree. RIP dear little Tracey, I will never forget you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

You are quite right Rosemarythyme. Sadly one of my two lovely girls passed away this afternoon. I am so upset....have not stopped crying. Its crazy isnt it? Just hens.... She had a god life though and is now resting in peace under our cherry tree. RIP dear little Tracey, I will never forget you!

Very sorry to hear that. Hopefully you can get the other one back on a healthy diet, and maybe get her a friend as she'll be lonely now that the other hen is gone.