Hens not eating layer feed...why?

[rebelcowboysnb]

Sounds like you have a good hen to yard ratio to me.

 

[Kathryn4629]

My hens dont eat much of the layer feed either. They are free range during the day and get tons of good vegetable scraps from the kitchen. I watched one hen eat about 10 worms this morning, no wonder they dont want to eat the bag feed.

I wouldn't worry about it if the look healthy and keep laying good eggs.

 

[TexasChickenDance]

That's the problem.....they are 6 mos old and haven't started laying yet. Are they getting enough nutrients for egg production just by free range?

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

More than enough.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Eh, while I do think free ranging is the best way to go, occasionally in the summer if my egg production drops I lock 'em in the coop for a day or two to "encourage" them to eat more layer feed and lay in the nest boxes, and suddenly I get one egg for every hen. I think were just hiding the eggs when they were out on the yard. Maybe you should go on an egg hunt!!!!!!!

My pullets that have free ranged since 2 months old, (and were in a portable tractor before that) started laying right on time and have kept up the production quite well.

 

[Big C]

Ours free range from 6 am till 8 pm
We feed whole corn and layer pellets. The corn is refilled twice what the pellets are.
Your flock eats the nutrition they need.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Quote:
Eh, while I do think free ranging is the best way to go, occasionally in the summer if my egg production drops I lock 'em in the coop for a day or two to "encourage" them to eat more layer feed and lay in the nest boxes, and suddenly I get one egg for every hen. I think were just hiding the eggs when they were out on the yard. Maybe you should go on an egg hunt!!!!!!!

My pullets that have free ranged since 2 months old, (and were in a portable tractor before that) started laying right on time and have kept up the production quite well.

That is why the Easter egg hunt started... Go find them eggs an make dinner.

 

[TexasChickenDance]

Thanks for all the info. I feel better knowing free range will get them the nutrients they need. As for egg laying....not much around this area for them to be hiding eggs in or under. When I let them out, they'll stay around the barn area for a few then come running to the house. So if they lay outside the coop, I'm pretty sure it'll be in the open unless they lay under the tractor or mule.