Help! Advice please, my girls are not eating

[Brenda Jones]

I agree with the above, try cutting out everything but their feed, try a wet mash (may have to play with the water content to find their preferred consistency,) and maybe be prepared to try a different feed altogether. Did you recently switch from starter to grower? Sometimes they resist change.

I changed their feed around 4 weeks ago... they were eating it fermented just fine until about a week ago when it started getting into the 30's here. But I will check them for impacted crop in the morning, as their crops are really hard and I am not feeling much movement in their crops tonight.

 

[RojoMarz]

"Scratch & Peck" is the name brand of feed that I use it is a whole grain organic, soy free food.

If that is the brand, is it a pellet/crumble or is it a mix of different things?

 

[Brenda Jones]

If that is the brand, is it a pellet/crumble or is it a mix of different things?

it is whole grains - wheat, oats, barley and peas

 

[rosemarythyme]

Which S&P feed are you using? Grower, starter? You mention that you switched feed a few weeks ago, was that from starter to grower?

 

[Brenda Jones]

Which S&P feed are you using? Grower, starter? You mention that you switched feed a few weeks ago, was that from starter to grower?

Yes, it was from a starter feed to the whole grain feed. I did a gradual mix and fermented them. then eventually went completely to the whole grain fermented. They were eating it great for about 3 weeks up until last week. They have also been molting and the weather has gotten cold. This is my first experience with chickens and I was a bit concerned... I DO SPOIL them a bit (maybe more than a bit). I changed feed because my friend who I purchased my chicks from said it was time to change. I have to find soy free food, as I am highly allergic to soy products. and I'm trying to feed them a more natural food like they would find it in the wild (so whole grain). I do allow mine to forage when the ground isn't covered in snow.

 

[Brenda Jones]

UPDATE: I did check them for impacted crop this morning (they eat their compressed kiln dried straw ). Even though I knew it was not likely (I worry a bit) they are still active, although not to the level they were before the snow fell. They are still pooping, though it does seem like even that has decreased (makes sense because they aren't eating as much). So ANYWAY I am happy to report there is no impacted crops Just 4 very spoiled picky eaters that knew they would get fed all kinds of good things if they didn't eat their normal food. I did start a new ferment as I thought that the other may have soured too much for them and that was why they stopped eating. so I will restart them on the new ferment as they are not eating it dry.

Thank You for your help everyone I will be implementing some of the strategies you have suggested as well.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes, it was from a starter feed to the whole grain feed. I did a gradual mix and fermented them. then eventually went completely to the whole grain fermented. They were eating it great for about 3 weeks up until last week. They have also been molting and the weather has gotten cold. This is my first experience with chickens and I was a bit concerned... I DO SPOIL them a bit (maybe more than a bit).

Sounds good. The molting could explain why they're off the feed a bit, they can lose their appetites while it's going on. Possibly might want to try S&P starter fermented (since it sounds like you used a different starter feed) - mainly because it has higher protein (20.5% vs 17%) which they might like while molting. I'd cut back on the treats to try and encourage them to eat their feed.

 

[Brenda Jones]

Sounds good. The molting could explain why they're off the feed a bit, they can lose their appetites while it's going on. Possibly might want to try S&P starter fermented (since it sounds like you used a different starter feed) - mainly because it has higher protein (20.5% vs 17%) which they might like while molting. I'd cut back on the treats to try and encourage them to eat their feed.

Thank You rosemarythyme, I started the girls back on their fermented ration and it warmed up to the 40's today and they immediately went out into their yard and started eating the grass that had been covered by snow. they have never been really big eaters, so it their food, but was very concerning when they didn't eat. I didn't give them any treats today. They ate their food and foraged in the grass. I will get some S&P starter feed and ferment it.