Hens, wild birds, and food quality

[Ceto]

Hi- so I'm relatively new to keeping chickens... We let our handful of hens roam when we're home for most of the day (one of my main goals was to cut into the tick population). But it has become more work than anything keeping them out of where I don't want them. We have a herding dog that loves to be the great enforcer, but even he can't keep up with this latest issue.
I realized a little while ago, when their favorite spot became under the bird feeder, that I should make that another off-limits spot to avoid avian bird flu. So I fenced it off. We also have a window feeder, which is our favorite- we love to watch the birds from the dining room table. These hens, though, are OBSESSED. They camp out around the fence I put up, and fly at my feeder on the window. They're worse than the squirrels ever were lol But seriously- they act like they're starved. They follow me around begging, too. They have plenty of food in a gravity feeder in their coop- I give them 16% layer crumbles from tractor supply (Dumor brand, I think). Do they not like the food, maybe? They've been eating it... (although I do find that sometimes there is a lot more dust than crumble in some bags. I try to scoop it out and make sure they can get more of the intact bits.) Or are they just fussy and looking for something better? Suggestions welcome

 

[nuthatched]

Bird seed is like junk food, they'll always head towards it first .
I would switch to a better feed if possible, nutrena makes good feeds.

 

[AnneGirlGG]

I don't have any known fixes, lol. Before I got my chickens, I actually worried about diseases from wild birds, but I, too absolutely love to watch them. I moved all my feeders up to the front of our property, well away from the chicken coop. I realize that depending on lot size and coop placement, this isn't an option for everyone.

I did want to offer insight on something I discovered recently, though. I've been using DuMor brand feed for probably 9 years as cat litter, long before I got chickens. It works great! My chickens actually eat Nutrena. I bought their feed the other day and as always, I checked the mill date. It was within about 4 weeks of purchase. Mill date should be within about 90 days, i think. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong! I'm new to chickens.

Out of curiosity, I checked the bag of DuMor feed that I had for the cat litter. We purchased it at the end of September. It's mill date was October 26, 2024! I was shocked that nearly year-old feed was still on the shelf.

Maybe it's a non-issue and what I've read is hype. Or maybe if their feed is older and you aren't aware, they're missing out on nutrients or something since the food degrades over time? I may be way off base, but I thought I would share.

 

[FrostRanger]

Bird seed is a high value treat, I would either move the feeder where they aren't hanging out or remove it entirely. I would consider the latter option especially if you are worried about bird flu as even if they can't access the feeder, the feeder will still encourage the wild birds to hang around more than they otherwise would. Dumor layer feed is basically fine? Protein is lower than I like to see but it meets their basic requirements. You can try pellets if you don't like crumbles, I found crumbles to be too messy so I will now only feed crumbles to very young chicks, everyone else gets pellets. Do know that birds allowed to free range do eat less feed but if they aren't eating it at all first check that's it's not old or moldy (check the mill date on the feed bag). If the food is fresh and free of mold, then they are likely holding out for the bird seed. Remove access to it and just leave them with the feed and they'll eat it eventually

 

[FrostRanger]

I feed kalmbach flock maker pellets if you're wanting a good feed recommendation, I will say though that nutrition is far more important than the brand and if you do feed chick starter, flock maker/raiser or all flock, you must provide crushed oyster shell on the side for calcium. The main benefits of feeding that way is all flock and starter feeds have more protein which is better for the birds and less calcium which is good if you have a flock with mixed laying statuses (such as if you have a rooster, very young or very old birds or hens off lay for whatever reason such as being broody, molting or it being winter). The ones that need more calcium can still get what they need from the crushed oyster shell and the ones that don't need more calcium will just ignore the oyster shell

 

[Perris]

I realized a little while ago, when their favorite spot became under the bird feeder,

We also have a window feeder,

These hens, though, are OBSESSED. They camp out around the fence I put up, and fly at my feeder on the window.

I find it odd that you want to deny your own chickens the good quality food you're apparently happy to buy for wild birds. Why?

they act like they're starved

They follow me around begging, too.

They have plenty of food in a gravity feeder in their coop- I give them 16% layer crumbles from tractor supply (Dumor brand, I think). Do they not like the food, maybe?

Why don't you trust your eyes and the evidence your chickens provide for you?

Or are they just fussy and looking for something better? Suggestions welcome

Yep. It seems that, actually, you instinctively know the answers to your questions.

just leave them with the feed and they'll eat it eventually

So historically people in besieged cities ate rats and grass and leather etc. You can make them eat any rubbish if you deny them any other food. But most of us want to give our birds the best, not the average minimally adequate for about 18 months of egg laying.

 

[FrostRanger]

I find it odd that you want to deny your own chickens the good quality food you're apparently happy to buy for wild birds. Why?

Wild bird food is not balanced feed for chickens. It's formulated for wild birds who are constantly on the move and only occasionally lay eggs and are eating other things, not chickens who are mostly kept in a run, lay regularly and will primarily be eating feed. A chicken kept on wild bird feed will be overweight and suffer from vitamin deficiencies

 

[Perris]

Wild bird food is not balanced feed for chickens. It's formulated for wild birds who are constantly on the move and only occasionally lay eggs and are eating other things, not chickens who are mostly kept in a run, lay regularly and will primarily be eating feed. A chicken kept on wild bird feed will be overweight and suffer from vitamin deficiencies

No-one is suggesting it is a 'complete' feed. But it could be a very nutritious part of a varied diet - and the OP has said nothing about the age and laying status of the hens in question.

 

[Perris]

A chicken kept on wild bird feed will be overweight and suffer from vitamin deficiencies

And you think this why? How could you possibly know what seeds are in a random bag of bird seed? How many of the seeds in it have a nutritional profile posted anywhere? Old feed is almost certainly vitamin deficient.

 

[nuthatched]

I don't have any known fixes, lol. Before I got my chickens, I actually worried about diseases from wild birds, but I, too absolutely love to watch them. I moved all my feeders up to the front of our property, well away from the chicken coop. I realize that depending on lot size and coop placement, this isn't an option for everyone.

I did want to offer insight on something I discovered recently, though. I've been using DuMor brand feed for probably 9 years as cat litter, long before I got chickens. It works great! My chickens actually eat Nutrena. I bought their feed the other day and as always, I checked the mill date. It was within about 4 weeks of purchase. Mill date should be within about 90 days, i think. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong! I'm new to chickens.

Out of curiosity, I checked the bag of DuMor feed that I had for the cat litter. We purchased it at the end of September. It's mill date was October 26, 2024! I was shocked that nearly year-old feed was still on the shelf.

Maybe it's a non-issue and what I've read is hype. Or maybe if their feed is older and you aren't aware, they're missing out on nutrients or something since the food degrades over time? I may be way off base, but I thought I would share.

Why are you using it for cat litter?