Hungry Chickens

[Newfarmer36]

I have chickens and ducks that I keep in the coop during the day. They have food and water and a dirt floor to scratch around on. Every time I open the gate, they take off running and start pecking at the cracked corn that I lay down for my pig. They act like they're starving to death. Why do they keep doing this? Bc it makes me feel terrible!

 

[Cyprus]

Cracked corn is a treat to chickens. It may be that they just really want that treat.
Mine have the same behavior towards scratch grains.

 

[17 chickens]

Have they lost any weight? If so you should worm then. But I agree cracked corn is a treat! Mine go flipping bonkers when they see me with a shovel cause they think it's worm time! They really have us trained!

 

[Newfarmer36]

They're not losing any weight. They just really act like they're starving.

 

[bobbi-j]

They're not starving. They are just enjoying the treat they're finding on the ground.