Hens are getting super picky and only want my lunch and not the good quality tractor supply layer crumbles I get them HELP

[GRB73]

Give them 2 weeks with just their feed. Leave it out for them to free feed. Once they start eating again, and they will, you can introduce a small number of hen treats, like sunflower seeds or mealworms. Offer treats late in the day to give them time to have their fill of feed.

And don't eat in front of them! They are worse than dogs and will beg for food. I have a large Wyandotte who jumps in my lap any time I eat a snack in front of her. Resist the urge to share your food. A diet comprised of mostly feed is the best thing for them.

 

[alwaystj9]

Weigh them. Put them on a crumbles or pellets diet, maybe wet the crumbles/pellets and make a mash. weigh them every day. That way you know if the hunger strike is for real....

 

[HumbleAmerican]

Easiest way to tell if the hunger strike is for real is to feel their crop when they roost for the night. If its empty, they aren't eating.

 

[DaisyGuurl]

My flock did something similar. One day they just stopped eating their layer feed. I soon discovered that my girls refused to eat pellets (even though that’s what they had been eating for weeks) so I had to start buying crumbles. I’ve tried mixing the two together but they just pick through and leave the pellets behind. They can be very particular about what they want.

 

[linguini]

Another suggestion to allow you giving them "treats" - mix the feed with warm water to make it into mash. They'll think it's the best thing in the world, and you'll enjoy watching them fighting for the "treat"!

 

[StinkyAcres]

Are they in the middle of a molt by any chance? My hens eat WAY less feed when they're molting.

 

[3KillerBs]

No healthy animal will starve itself in the presence of food.

Put the feed into the feeder. Walk away.

 

[LordEvan5]

Are they in the middle of a molt by any chance? My hens eat WAY less feed when they're molting.

Nah the just finished up a month month and a half ago

 

[LordEvan5]

I got them some pellets instead of crumbles and it’s like some new and wonderful food these bird are worse than children although children talk so it’s a toss up at best