Not eating their layer feed

[WhenInRhome]

My girls are refusing to eat their feed. I have it in a large hanging feeder in the coop. They are pretty much just eating grass and scratch. I hate to cut the scratch because I am afraid they will go back to picking at each other. What can I do to make them eat their feed? They have slowed down laying and I am pretty sure it has something to do with them not eating right. I was getting 4 eggs a day, now usually only one. I thought it was the heat, but we covered their coop and have been putting ice in the water.

 

[Messipaw]

Can you switch feed? Or try crumble?

 

[WhenInRhome]

I will try switching feed, thanks!

 

[Nupe]

Exactly how much scratch are they getting? Scratch is a treat and treats should make up no more than 10% of their diets. If they're refusing to eat their feed, then they're spoiled and only want the treats. Stop feeding them treats for a while so they'll have no choice but to eat their feed.

If they're picking at each other, that's a different issue. Picking can be caused by overcrowding or protein deficiency. Spoiling them with treats might seem to help but you're only causing more problems.

 

[Folly's place]

x2. Feed a quality layer or all flock feed, with oyster shell on the side, and leave out the scratch feed. They are hooked on treats! Mary

 

[aart]

I like to feed a 'flock raiser' 20% protein crumble to all ages and genders, as non-layers(chicks, males and all molting birds) do not need the extra calcium that is in layer feed and chicks and molters can use the extra protein. Makes life much simpler to store and distribute one type of chow that everyone can eat.

Calcium should be available at all times for the layers, I use oyster shell mixed with rinsed, dried, crushed chicken egg shells in a separate container.

Animal protein (mealworms, a little cheese - beware the salt content, meat scraps) is provided during molting and if I see any feather eating.

The higher protein crumble also offsets the 8% protein scratch grains and other kitchen/garden scraps I like to offer.