Getting enough food.

[lillychick]

Hi my 2 Isa Browns free range from dawn to dusk in the back yard. They have laying mix, which they seem to just pick out sun flower seeds and leave the rest. They don't seem interested in anything else I try them with. They like cheese. I'm worried they are not eating enough. Polly is laying, Penny not far behind. Thanks in advance for any suggestions

 

[MGG]

Hi my 2 Isa Browns free range from dawn to dusk in the back yard. They have laying mix, which they seem to just pick out sun flower seeds and leave the rest. They don't seem interested in anything else I try them with. They like cheese. I'm worried they are not eating enough. Polly is laying, Penny not far behind. Thanks in advance for any suggestions

Are they thin? What number are they on this chart?

 

[lillychick]

So I pick them up and I can feel the breast bone. Polly is 5mths and Penny about 4mths. they run around quite happy and poo looks normal and they are drinking. It's just they don't seem to want their chick feed and anything I tempt them with other than cheese. What can I do.

 

[MGG]

So I pick them up and I can feel the breast bone. Polly is 5mths and Penny about 4mths. they run around quite happy and poo looks normal and they are drinking. It's just they don't seem to want their chick feed and anything I tempt them with other than cheese. What can I do.

I wouldn't give too much cheese. Dairy is generally not good for birds. What number would you guess on the scale? They're eating chick starter? What brand?

 

[lillychick]

I'd say no 2,1. They were on chick starter and now on layer mix as Polly is laying. What about yogurt?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd ditch all the treats, and maybe try a different feed that might be more appetizing. Is the feed you're using now a whole grain mash (different grains in a mix)? Consider fermenting it to force them to eat the whole mix instead of only picking out favorite pieces. Or feed a pellet or crumble so they cannot be picky about what's in it.

Also check your mill dates and quality on your feed - you don't want to feed old food or food that's gone off in any way.

 

[Moriaheva]

Our birds really like “Big Sky organic mash” mixed with “Scratch and Peck Layer”. We buy it from Azure Standard online and it’s drop shipped. And of course kitchen scraps instead of treats. The only dairy we feed them is maybe some spoiled milk or yogurt, but that’s few and far between.

 

[lillychick]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to blend and mash everything to see how we go. How much would 2 chicks eat in a day? These 2 just seems very fussy. My other 2 chicks ,one I had for 8 years ate anything. They seem happy enough and full of life but just feel skinny when I pick them up.