Normal, Spoiled or Starving?

[TribeWild]

We have 6 chickens (3 rhode island red and 3 ameraucanas) who just all started laying in the past month and a half.

A few months ago the local grocery stores had lots of sales on corn, so we would buy some and give the ladies an ear a day as a treat. About 3 weeks ago we switched them to a different feed (from just pellets to a mixture. Threw the bag away so I can't tell you what it is at the moment).

Now anytime we go anywhere near their coop they start freaking out and if I open the door they all try to run out and gobble down grass as fast as they can - i seriously have to grab a few handfuls to toss in there just so I can open the door without escaping chickens. I make sure their food is always full and they're eating it (although a lot gets thrown out of the feeder onto the ground) but the way they attack the grass or any scraps I toss end makes me feel like they're starving.

Is this normal, are they starving or have we just spoiled them?

 

[sylviethecochin]

If you were restricted to a diet of nutri-loaf, how crazy would you go for a salad?

 

[townchicks]

If the behavior change started after you switched food, I would suspect they are lacking something in their diet. The problem with mixed whole grain food, is that they tend to eat what they like best, and leave the rest. It is normal for chickens to attack a treat item like they haven't seen food in a month, but a sudden change would have me wondering. Maybe go back to what you were feeding.

 

[chickens really]

I never feed layer. I feed a Grower finisher feed and supply Oyster shell in a separate bowl once laying.
You don't let them out of the pen at all?

 

[Chickassan]

They just know there is better stuff to eat now than just the pellets. You are stuck now, chickens don't forget about food. If you don't let them graze maybe start giving them alfalfa hay or sprouted grains to feed their taste for greenery.

 

[sourland]

My gut instinct is that the new feed does not provide adequate nutrition. When switching feed it should be done gradually and even then can cause a cessation in egg production. Find a satisfactory diet and stick with that.

 

[AGirlAndHerChickens03]

We have 6 chickens (3 rhode island red and 3 ameraucanas) who just all started laying in the past month and a half.

A few months ago the local grocery stores had lots of sales on corn, so we would buy some and give the ladies an ear a day as a treat. About 3 weeks ago we switched them to a different feed (from just pellets to a mixture. Threw the bag away so I can't tell you what it is at the moment).

Now anytime we go anywhere near their coop they start freaking out and if I open the door they all try to run out and gobble down grass as fast as they can - i seriously have to grab a few handfuls to toss in there just so I can open the door without escaping chickens. I make sure their food is always full and they're eating it (although a lot gets thrown out of the feeder onto the ground) but the way they attack the grass or any scraps I toss end makes me feel like they're starving.

Is this normal, are they starving or have we just spoiled them?

They're just a few chickens who like the good stuff. Mine do the exact same thing. They want what they don't get on a regular basis. They aren't starving or sick, they just love scraps and grass. If you think a chicken is losing weight, you can pick her up and see if she is light and feel if her breastbone is pronounced. You won't feel much meat on her if she's skinny. I don't think that's a problem, though. Your chicks just know what they like.

 

[TribeWild]

They're just a few chickens who like the good stuff. Mine do the exact same thing. They want what they don't get on a regular basis. They aren't starving or sick, they just love scraps and grass. If you think a chicken is losing weight, you can pick her up and see if she is light and feel if her breastbone is pronounced. You won't feel much meat on her if she's skinny. I don't think that's a problem, though. Your chicks just know what they like.

Thank you! I wasn't sure how to check for underweight chickens so that is very helpful to know!

 

[50-45-1]

I always feed my chickens layer crumble but once my feed store had high quality layer pellets on sale so I purchased 2 bags. Well my chickens refused to eat it. They threw it all over the place and would pick thru it for the smaLler size bits. I switched back to srumble and learned my lesson.

 

[Folly's place]

Feed composed of mixed whole grains can be a problem, because at least some individuals will pick out the 'tasty bits' and unbalance their diet. It's a common problem in caged birds and pets like hamsters, who only eat the sunflower seeds, for example.
I also feed an all- flock feed, with oyster shell on the side, and have for a long time. In my case, it's Flock Raiser, a crumble, that has good mill dates on each bag here (within one month or less) and is fed within another two or three weeks. Fresh matters!!!
I've seen feed at the same TSC here that's six months old; I wouldn't feed it if it was free!
Mary