My chickens stopped scratching!

[rymiddle]

Hi. My name is Ryan. I love this site and it really helped when I decided to get my chickens. Nice to be a member. So from my topic you can see I have an issue. I think my chickens have stopped scratching in search of food. I figured it was because I was feeding them so much that they became dependent. I really want them to eat the bugs and get the nutrition, and also stretch out how often I buy feed. How do I get them to scratch again? Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[patandchickens]

Could you describe what exactly it is that makes you think they are no longer "scratching"? Also, do you mean scratching as in scratching around in the dirt/grass, or do you mean the more general sense of 'foraging for their own food'?

If what you're seeing is just that they're eating more of your storeboughten food, chances are very high that it is some combination of a) other critters are stealing some of it, b) they're wasting some by spilling it, and/or c) there is no longer as much natural food available to them [this is almost certain if they are confined, but can happen even if they're free range, in some circumstances].

Good luck,

Pat

 

[rymiddle]

They don't seem to be foraging that much and are definitely not scratching at the ground like they used to. It seems last year they would be digging everywhere and now they just scratch around in the compost pile every now and then but don't go at the ground like they did. It's like they expect me to be their only source of food. If they are out of food in their dish for a minute they come running over to me and try to coax me into getting them food. It is literally like they are walking around my feet trying to direct me to the shed where their food is. I even tried digging up the ground a bit to get them started and they would go after the worms that were exposed but not work to dig further.

I have them free range. The two have a large yard all to themselves. Right now there is a lot of "natural" food available because of the spring. We've been pretty wet lately and the insects are out. I thought that they may not need to dig because of all of the insects but they really act like they are starving if their food isn't full. I really want them to be less dependent on the feed.

 

[rymiddle]

Anyone else have some advise to get my chickens scratching again. Should I just keep the food away or give them less?

 

[upthecreek]

Yes cut back on their feed : don't feed them the first day and then cut their food in half the next week or so (tough love) and see if this does the trick .
They have probably gotten FAT over the winter and gotten a year older and this is what happens .
Best of luck


Quote: