My chickens won't eat chicken feed

[julianna47]

Interestingly enough, I was away for 6 days and had a friend watching the chickens. They only had pellets and water. No snacks at all. They still won't eat the pellets. My friend was perplexed as well. They must be getting something off the run floor. But it can't be much

 

[Weehopper]

Can you switch brands of pellets? I tried organic (Purina), and my girls would have none of it. Switched to Purina's Du More, and they gobble it up..go figure.

 

[julianna47]

I will try again. This is the third I've tried. First crumbles. Then almost a mash now pellets. At this point I've wasted a lot of food. I really didn't think it would've this hard to feed them

 

[Weehopper]

It isn't, normally. I am stumped. There must be someone out there who knows what to do.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I will try again. This is the third I've tried. First crumbles. Then almost a mash now pellets. At this point I've wasted a lot of food. I really didn't think it would've this hard to feed them

Toss the feed, pellets crumble out in the the run like you would scratch. Mine gobble down both. Mash won't work though. GC

 

[henmania]

I have odd chickens here. I have 2 buff Orpingtons and a few weeks ago they used to gobble up their organic layer pellets and the mash I used to make. Now I let them free range more and they don't even touch their bowl, only their water.
When the weather was a bit warmer they used to finish the bowl in a day now after 2 days the bowl would still be half full (or half empty lol).

They eat a lot of rice that is extra scraps from hour table. As soon as the rice touches the floor they gobble it up. But that's pretty much it. Rice and grass.

So anyways, is it normal? They haven't laid since I've bought them but I assumed that's because it's winter and they still might be too young.

 

[chickens really]

I have odd chickens here. I have 2 buff Orpingtons and a few weeks ago they used to gobble up their organic layer pellets and the mash I used to make. Now I let them free range more and they don't even touch their bowl, only their water.
When the weather was a bit warmer they used to finish the bowl in a day now after 2 days the bowl would still be half full (or half empty lol).

They eat a lot of rice that is extra scraps from hour table. As soon as the rice touches the floor they gobble it up. But that's pretty much it. Rice and grass.

So anyways, is it normal? They haven't laid since I've bought them but I assumed that's because it's winter and they still might be too young.

This is an old thread....I will answer your question...
Chickens need an age appropriate diet...Feeding Chickens to many treats/scraps is not a balanced diet...Many health, behaviour and egg laying issues fall back to diet...
Chickens should on be fed fillers mean anything other than feed at 5% of daily ration...Meaning a Tablespoon per Bird a day...

Cheers!

 

[FlyWheel]

I use a big round, rubber tub for feeding. Nothing fancy. Not that much waste, either.

The problem I have found with tubs, and troughs too* is that the chickens will crawl into/on top of it and scratch like they normally do kicking the feed out of the tub. Or worse poop in it.

*I found the best solution is to use a trough (like the long plastic feeders with the 'holey top removed) set about 4-6 inches high against a wall. I also tack a slanted roof about five inches above it. this not only keeps them from climbing onto it but prevents 'stuff' from falling into the feed from above.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have odd chickens here. I have 2 buff Orpingtons and a few weeks ago they used to gobble up their organic layer pellets and the mash I used to make. Now I let them free range more and they don't even touch their bowl, only their water.
When the weather was a bit warmer they used to finish the bowl in a day now after 2 days the bowl would still be half full (or half empty lol).

They eat a lot of rice that is extra scraps from hour table. As soon as the rice touches the floor they gobble it up. But that's pretty much it. Rice and grass.

So anyways, is it normal? They haven't laid since I've bought them but I assumed that's because it's winter and they still might be too young.

Free Range is good. No more rice or kitchen scraps, it does not have enough of the vitamins, minerals and protein chickens need. Toss dry chicken feed as crumbles or pellets on dry ground instead of rice and fill a feeder with dry chicken feed as pellets or crumble and clean water available anytime chickens are awake. No scratch grains or corn. Pellets and crumble have added vitamins, minerals and protein that chickens need to grow up healthy and produce lots of eggs. Rice, scratch grains and corn do not have added nutrients and protein chickens need.
I have gotten 100 eggs in the past 20 days from 5, 30 week old pullets, yes I mark it on my kitchen calendar. They are a high production type of chicken. But most layers breed of chicken will lay through the winter at a reduced rate, unless they are molting or old. 90 percent of my chickens feed is layers pellets. 10 percent is scratch grains what they can consume in 10 to 15 minutes twice a day. and chopped grass once a day and any bugs they catch or worms they find. My chickens are in a 500 square foot pen, they do not free range, (flying predators and dogs). No table or kitchen scraps ever, no people food period!

Hope you see eggs soon. PS your chickens could have a nest of eggs hidden where they free range. GC. P.S. make sure your feed is fresh, chickens won't eat stale feed.

 

[henmania]

Thanks. I'll reduce the food from the tale. But I do always have their feed and layer pellets by their coop.
Their behaviour is normal though. They chase pigeons off their territory, scratch up dirty and sit in it and pick at worms.
But again I thank you for the detailed answer