Greedy Chooks

[Kate510]

Depending on their age/breed, a 25 pound bag of feed should last about a week and a half. Larger breeds and pullets just starting to lay will consume more than a typical dual-purpose sized adult hen. Feeding sporadically can lead to gorging behaviors. Feed should be available all day long.

that seems consistant then thanks they get fed same time everyday and there is always access to it and of course grasses and grubs outside

 

[Kate510]

Really the rural local shop and chook experts put me on the Barastoic darling downs feed it is a complete chook feed did you miss reading this in my post ? the scraps are afternoon tea!

Barastoc Darling Downs Layer is a complete food source for laying hens. Formulated from natural grains and seeds it provides optimum levels of protein, energy, vitamins and minerals for healthy laying hens.

Features and Benefits

• A blend of whole and cracked natural seed and grain
• Enriched with vitamins and minerals, including calcium for strong egg shells
• Carefully selected plant and vegetable based ingredients

Suitable for: A wide range of layer-type breeds

 

[junebuggena]

The problem with whole grain mixes is that the birds might start to pick and choose, eating the choice bits, and leaving the rest for pests and visiting birds to chow down on. They work best when fermented. If your flock has developed a tendency to pick and choose which bits of feed they eat, you've got to switch them over to a pelleted feed to ensure that each bite is giving them the nutrition they need.

 

[Kate510]

The problem with whole grain mixes is that the birds might start to pick and choose, eating the choice bits, and leaving the rest for pests and visiting birds to chow down on. They work best when fermented. If your flock has developed a tendency to pick and choose which bits of feed they eat, you've got to switch them over to a pelleted feed to ensure that each bite is giving them the nutrition they need.

Thanks for this - blanche re fuses pellets when I gave them another mix they just left all the pellets - any hints on how i can get her to eat it - the others are happy with the food and dont pick its just blanche that eats all the sunflower seeds first and then chews down on the rest but you are correct there are elements of it they leave and of course the local birds get a free feed - I dont think for one minute they are hugry

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you want them on pellets I would stop with all other feed and treats and offer only pellets, until they all begin eating them. Once they get used to the pellets you can start offering treats again. Pellets just aren't tasty by chicken standards so it does take a bit of coaxing to get them to eat them. I feed mine both pellets and fermented mash and they don't touch the pellets until all the fermented feed for the day is gone.

 

[junebuggena]

A healthy bird will not starve itself. It may take a few days for them to eat the pellets, but they will eventually if it's all they've got.

 

[SueT]

Yeah I did miss it, sorry Kate

 

[GC-Raptor]

Try mixing pellets and their current feed 50/50 in the feeder. Also toss a small amount of pellets on DRY ground as a treat what they consume in 10/15 minutes, twice a day, as a treat.
When I switched my girls to pellets they gobbled them up, when tossed on the ground.
Check the mill date on the bag of pellets, as they don't last as long as whole grains, and can get stale, and chickens won't eat it.
Try to get feed less than 1 month old, and store in a cool dry place. GC