finicky eaters not eating laying pellets

[hollilynn]

Yes, I used to find "rubber eggs" under the perch frequently when my hens first started to lay. That will stop and you will have nice, firm eggs in the nest boxes. On occasion there may be another egg beneath the roost but not often. Noticed this post is old, so you should be getting those eggs already

 

[socalifgal]

Yes, I'm getting three eggs a day. It's a funny thing you responded yesterday, the two younger chickens (18 wks) just started laying the soft-shelled eggs yesterday. I have noticed both of them eating the oyster shells a week ago. Can I safely start them on the pellets also? I've been fermenting grower feed, hopefully I can feed them fermented pellets. Does the pecking order ever stops? It seems that they pick on one, only. She has become so shy and timid. I feel so bad for her! I noticed that the other small pullet (her sister) was on the older girls perch and the timid one, was all by her lonesome, on the smaller perch!! (

 

[hollilynn]

Now that they have started laying, you should be fine to feed them the pellets also. My hens prefer the crumbles over pellets, so that is what they get! And, yes the pecking order can be brutal sometimes and I intervene, cause it drives me nuts! They respond when I scold them, by stopping anyway. I also have a hen who is the sweetest and is on the very bottom of the hierarchy. I favor her and give her extra treats
From what I have learned on this site is that if blood is drawn, the main bully needs to be separated for awhile and then when she is allowed back, she may have lost a bit of her upper status. I had a hen who was mounting a few of my lower ranking ones and I think I stopped her from doing that by making her submit! You know how some hens automatically squat for you? She never did, but I make her when I see her and she has stopped acting like a rooster. Check to see if your bullies squat for you and if they don't, make them. See if that stops them from picking on the one hen.