New pullets are constantly eating

[Bokbokbokbecky]

Hi there, I have a free-range flock who spend most of their time in the yard foraging but have free access to their coop where I have chicken feed available to them. It’s normal to see a chicken go inside the coop to have a snack and then head back outside to find a worm. Three days ago I brought 2 pullets home and added them to my girls. Those 2 pullets are constantly at the feeder in the coop eating regular feed and not venturing outside or curious about their surroundings at all. Their heads are literally in the feeder from the moment they wake up until bedtime. Any idea why that could be?

 

[nuthatched]

Pullets are constantly growing, where ever they came from might not have been feeding them adequately.

 

[Slw]

Hi there, I have a free-range flock who spend most of their time in the yard foraging but have free access to their coop where I have chicken feed available to them. It’s normal to see a chicken go inside the coop to have a snack and then head back outside to find a worm. Three days ago I brought 2 pullets home and added them to my girls. Those 2 pullets are constantly at the feeder in the coop eating regular feed and not venturing outside or curious about their surroundings at all. Their heads are literally in the feeder from the moment they wake up until bedtime. Any idea why that could be?

Depends on the breed. Larger breeds tend to eat more than the smaller ones. Have they started laying eggs? Young pellets are both finishing growth and getting ready to lay eggs.

 

[Bokbokbokbecky]

Depends on the breed. Larger breeds tend to eat more than the smaller ones. Have they started laying eggs? Young pellets are both finishing growth and getting ready to lay eggs.

No they haven’t started laying yet. I have 4 other pullets around the same age who are integrated with the rest of the flock and foraging, so I just thought it was weird that these 2 are so into the feeder.

 

[Bokbokbokbecky]

Pullets are constantly growing, where ever they came from might not have been feeding them adequately.

They did come from a place with 150+ birds. I only have 18 so I guess there is much less competition

 

[nuthatched]

No they haven’t started laying yet. I have 4 other pullets around the same age who are integrated with the rest of the flock and foraging, so I just thought it was weird that these 2 are so into the feeder.

How old are all your birds and what are you feeding ?

 

[Bokbokbokbecky]

How old are all your birds and what are you feeding ?

My oldest are 2 years and the youngest are 10 weeks or so. They’re all getting grower food bc I feed to the lowest common denominator. I think it’s 18% protein. Plus they get daily scratch and kitchen scraps and forage

 

[nuthatched]

My oldest are 2 years and the youngest are 10 weeks or so. They’re all getting grower food bc I feed to the lowest common denominator. I think it’s 18% protein. Plus they get daily scratch and kitchen scraps and forage

That's good. I'd reduce the scratch a bit though