Hen after laying has a foraging frenzy

[Dgrundy14]

My hens, RIR and BSL just started laying this week. Exciting! But now those hens forage like it's their last time. I feed them layer crumbles but they aren't eating it like they used too. Is this normal or are they lacking some vitamins? Thanks for all your help!

 

[Pork Pie]

It's not something that i have noticed with any of my new layers, but i certainly would not consider it anything to worry about. I much prefer my birds to forage, rather than sit at the feeder - both for nutritional and behavioural reasons. They may well calm down a little, once they become accustomed to laying.

 

[aart]

They need to eat more when producing eggs, you'll notice a significant increase in size of their poops too.
Could a be foraging 'frenzy' because plants are just starting to grow and insects are emerging?

How long have they been on layer and were they on starter or grower before??
Layer can be low in protein and they may be reacting to the change there.

 

[lazy gardener]

My hens almost always run off to eat the minute they exit the nest box.

 

[aart]

My hens almost always run off to eat the minute they exit the nest box.

True Dat^^^

 

[Dgrundy14]

They were on starter grower and now on layer feed. They just started laying this week. Thanks for your input.

 

[rosemarythyme]

My hens almost always run off to eat the minute they exit the nest box.

Mine too. They have to stop by the feeder on the way out, grab several mouthfuls, wash it down with a good drink, and then they're ready to go again.