My chickens arent eating... help

[debptr6452]

Hello all,

I am new to this but my son raises chickens. That is how I got started.
My chicks are just about 22 weeks now. I had to change their food as they got older, and they have never been fond of it. I got to the point where I would chop it up in my blender for them. I stopped doing that and they were eating it but not as much. Now I have not had to refill their dish in over 2 days...... One, maybe two chicks now (2 out of 4) have started laying eggs. I have got one good egg out of 5.... The shell is thin or when I get to the coop the egg is broken. I do not know what to do right now. I am thinking of trying some yogurt but they cant live on that. I do give them corn and bird seed they love! Any suggestions please.

Thank you

Debby

 

[enola]

What type of feed are you feeding them?

 

[rides2far]

In addition to the feed, you can give them some oyster shell to help harden their shells. I also give mine some alfalfa hay. It has a lit of calcium. I have horses, so I hVe hay. I've heard some people take alfalfa pellets & soak them. Are they on a layer mix?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would try a different brand, my chickens will only eat one kind, also are you sure the food is fresh, and not spoiled, it should smell good, unfortunately you might have to try a few until you find something they like.

 

[barneveldrerman]

The feed you are feeding might not be what they need. if they are laying you can geed them layer feed or give them 18% grower feed with oyster shells on the side. Your chickens might not like the brand of feed you are giving them. Also remember treats like corn, yogurt, etc. are not to be feed all the time. THEY ARE TREATS. It is not to accommodate over 10% of their diet.



Hope this helped!

 

[enola]

I would stop feeding them any treats, none! Then you need to check their crops after they go to roost. If their crops are truly empty, then you know they are not eating their feed. If they are not eating the feed at all, there is definitely something wrong with your feed.

What brand of feed are you using?

 

[debptr6452]

The chicks are eating Agway Egg laying feed. I have mixed the food with yogurt and they ate it all.

 

[debptr6452]

Oh I love to feed them treats....they are eating egg laying feed from Agway.

Thanks for the feedback

 

[debptr6452]

Yes this has helped thank you very much. I did get one egg yesterday with a hard shell.

 

[debptr6452]

The bag of food should be fresh its not very old. Maybe 3 weeks. I have a half bag left.