hens won't eat layer crumble

[janeinboise]

I have 3 hens living the high life in a moderate sized backyard with a nice coop and house. Inside the coop are a waterer and feeder. We now purchase layer crumble for them - as they didn't like pellets. I generally toss a handful of scratch in daily. Two are game banties - very very small, and the third is a big golden comet. All love eating worms, bugs, and free range in the yard most of each day. We do offer some kitchen scraps, but not alot and not regularly. Problem is they basically ignore the crumble. Any ideas for something we could add to the crumble to entice them to eat it? I figure they need the calcium, etc.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Mahonri]

Sprinkle in some red food coloring and mix?

 

[aukuma]

I'm pretty new to chickens (this is my first year with them) and mine wouldnt eat layer pellets and made a mess of the crumble (only eating the larger pieces) so I just add water to make the pellets crumbly but sticky. They have pellets available 24/7 but I feed them twice a day with watered pellets. They're quite spoiled though.

 

[Chicks Down Under]

Hey how did you go with the layer crumbles? I had the same problem until one got sick and I had to mix it into a slurry with warm water, now they wolf it down. They love the addition of yoghurt, cooked oatmeal and unsweetened applesauce too....

 

[chicks4kids]

I wouldn't worry about it at this point, unless their eggs start getting too thin (low calcium level). I bet with them free ranging they are getting everything that they need. Come winter they'll eat what you give them no doubt. Personally, I like the lower feed bill in the spring and summer seasons cuz they sure make up for it in the winter. If you're concerned about their calcium levels, you can always throw out some crushed oyster shell with their scratch and food scraps....my local farm store gets the 50# bags for $10.

 

[OregonChickenGal]

I give oyster shell to my hens free choice. Just put some in a dish, they'll take what they need. Because your chickens free range most of the day is why they're not eating their crumble.