Feed consumption has gone down a lot since it got colder. Located in PA.

[Flixflaxnoob]

I've been feeding the same locally milled layer feed since the summer. I've noticed they don't seem to empty the feed bucket as quickly since it's gotten colder. I wonder if it's because they aren't leaving their coop as much. But when I refresh their feed, they are quick to get into it. I'm thinking they may also be more picky right now.

In addition the the feed, I supplement with a little cat food and meal worms for extra protein since they are molting. Could the cold or them molting be making them eat less of their usual feed? Should I look into other feed?

 

[Daisy June]

It must be quite cold for them to want to stay cooped up instead of in their run. Are they too thin now? I'm wondering if it's just a phase. Perhaps they dislike cold weather as much as I do! If it were me and I was worried, I would scramble up some eggs for them to be sure they're getting a serious dose of good healthy food. Have you tried raking up some crunchy leaves, tossing a pile into your run, and sprinkling some cracked corn and pepper flakes (any any other of their favorite snacks) atop the pile of leaves? It will surely break the routine up a bit and give them something interesting to do.

 

[Flixflaxnoob]

They come out when I sprinkle cat food or meal worms and will stay out for a while. We're having a break from the cold weather right now and they've been free ranging the past few days but I still haven't really seen them dog into their feed much compared to in the summer when they were also free ranging.

 

[Seaslug]

I'm in PA as well, and I think ours are eating More food since the cold weather hit... but maybe it just seems like we are always out there filling the feeder because it is cold?
Has there been any changes with the food? Crumbles to pellets? Have you recently started a new bag or are you finishing off a bag? Just wondering if the food could be off. You wouldn't think that they would be finding much while free ranging that could be filling them up. Could the protein rich cat food have that much of an effect on their feed consumption?

 

[Shadrach]

Have they taken a break from egg laying?

 

[StinkyAcres]

My birds always eat way less in the winter.

 

[Flixflaxnoob]

I'm in PA as well, and I think ours are eating More food since the cold weather hit... but maybe it just seems like we are always out there filling the feeder because it is cold?
Has there been any changes with the food? Crumbles to pellets? Have you recently started a new bag or are you finishing off a bag? Just wondering if the food could be off. You wouldn't think that they would be finding much while free ranging that could be filling them up. Could the protein rich cat food have that much of an effect on their feed consumption?

I would have also expected them to eat more as it got colder. I noticed they were eating less before I started giving them cat food. I don't give much of it either. I scatter some every 2-3 days in the morning. I'm wondering now too if the food is off. The feed doesn't appear different except I think they pick out their favorite bits first. In the summer time, I was refilling their feed bucket every 2.5 days. It can now take 5 days for them to go through it.

 

[Flixflaxnoob]

Have they taken a break from egg laying?

Yes. They are also molting.

 

[Flixflaxnoob]

My birds always eat way less in the winter.

This makes me feel better. Though it's counterintuitive to me. Do they not try to bulk up for the winter like other animals?

 

[StinkyAcres]

This makes me feel better. Though it's counterintuitive to me. Do they not try to bulk up for the winter like other animals?

I don't really understand it either. Maybe it's because they are not foraging and moving as much when they are molting and when it's cold and snowy out. Mine get pretty skinny too but put the weight back on through the summer.