Like giving crack to a drug addict .....

[texasgal]

I bought scratch.

Yes .. thought it would be nice to introduce something different to the young adults ..

Thought they would enjoy the scratching around and eating the grains ..


They did.

To the extent that they don't want their pellets now ..

Act like they're starving to death .. with a full feeder of pellets ..

Bunch o' freakin' Scratch Heads ...

I will not be moved. They WILL eat their pellets .. before they starve .. right??

 

[ChickBond 007]

Quote:

 

[HEChicken]

You're funny but yes, they should eat the pellets before they starve. I only give scratch as a treat. In nice weather they get a couple of handfuls (between 6 chooks) thrown out into the grass about once a week. The rest of the time they can eat from the free-choice feeder or whatever they find around the yard, plus the vegie scraps I give them as I have them. They love the scratch but it is such a tiny portion of their overall diet. We've had a cold spell starting Thursday and the ground is covered in several inches of snow so they won't come out of the coop. I've been giving them a warm mash three times a day to compensate and putting a handful of scratch in each bowl of mash. I just figured they might be able to use the extra energy right now since its so darn cold.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Let them have their "scratch". In the morning, put down a scoop full in a line (like a drug addict) on the floor.

Let them eat this and then NO MORE for the day. They will get the idea eventually. I do this routine every morning, I use it as a row call 'cause believe me they are all right there.

Yes, they will eat their pellets, give them plenty of water for the day. During the winter months, when they can not go out (like today) I do fill up a decent sized feeder with scratch and other things they need. I call this poultry grain and yes they do love the stuff.

You pusher you.

 

[LynneP]

Put some diced tomatoes or some yogurt in a stock bowl with the pellets so they will re-associate the pellets with goodies...my opinion with layers is that you don;t want them to get run down- they may stop laying and might limp from lack of vitamins and protein...

 

[Mahonri]

Gotta buncha tweaker chicks is what you got.

 

[texasgal]

They meet me at the gate .. growling and pacing and charging the gate like they are STARVED to DEATH .. and their feeder is completely full

I told them "NO MORE .. until you eat your dinner!"

They don't think I"m so wonderful anymore ...

 

[texasgal]

Quote:
Yes,.. I'm quite sure they will find this to their liking .. freakin' addicts..

 

[teach1rusl]

Oh yeah...they'll eat their regular food if you're just giving a little scratch. This morning I raked and shoveled snow, threw straw down, and then threw a handful of scratch on about on top to lure them out. You don't want them to fill up on scratch though, because then they may not eat their feed. So make sure it's just a little.

 

[texasgal]

Quote:
Uh huh.. that's what I got ...