My chicken appears to be starving itself!

[bikingchik]

I have two Rhode Island Reds.
They have never been very keen on pellets from when I first got them. So i tried different brands. I resorted to giving them mash and putting the pellets in that, and I felt that they got enough as they are also allowed out in my small garden. I did give them scraps including some pasta/ rice sometimes. Recently however, they have stopped eating any chicken food at all. So I have stopped giving them any alternatives. Just pellets or mash. They are really hungry and rush to the door to get the smallest scrap of food. They will eat anything other than chicken food! I am getting worried as they seem so hungry and they are getting thin. I took one to the vet and he was none the wiser. We wormed them, but i ended up cooking up barley and lentils to put the medicine in!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Are you sure the feed isn't stale or has a fungus/mold?

Feed doesn't last long and some stores sell outdated feed. I always look at the packaging date on the feed before I buy it.

Once grains are ground for feed they lose potency and flavor.

 

[pdirt]

Are you sure the feed isn't stale or has a fungus/mold?

Feed doesn't last long and some stores sell outdated feed. I always look at the packaging date on the feed before I buy it.

Once grains are ground for feed they lose potency and flavor.

 

[pdirt]

Also, have you tried fermenting their feed? Lots of info here on BYC on that one. My birds go NUTS over the stuff and I am considering moving them to 100% (or nearly so) fermented feed. Why and how of it: http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/p/fermented-feed.html

If you do try it, try it first with a very small batch, such as with a quart jar. Just be sure to place a plate or bowl under the jar to catch any overflow that might happen.

Even if the the feed has spoiled, fermenting it will dramatically improve it's nutrition.