Over eating

[Minky]

Sounds like you are doing everything right..... maybe post a photo of the nutrients from the feed bag label?
Do they get greens? Sorry I dont recall if you said they free range or have access to grass. I see so many coops with just dirt, My flock eats so much grass.... and when I walk by my rooster pen (they only free range once a week), I always throw in a big handful or two of grass and dandelion leaves, I rip it up as much as I can since they don't have the resistance of the ground (to pull off small bits) . They clean it all up within a few minutes. It's nuts.
I thought it was supposed to be about 2 weeks BEFORE your pullets start to lay you are supposed to switch to layer pellet? I could be totally wrong. Here in Canada I cannot even buy all flock. I can get medicated chick starter, grower, and layer. Pellet or "textured". No adult food without calcium added.
I find my chickens go through a ton of grit. Even though they free range 12 hours a day. Weird. Right? Chickens are weird.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Sounds like you are doing everything right..... maybe post a photo of the nutrients from the feed bag label?
Do they get greens? Sorry I dont recall if you said they free range or have access to grass. I see so many coops with just dirt, My flock eats so much grass.... and when I walk by my rooster pen (they only free range once a week), I always throw in a big handful or two of grass and dandelion leaves, I rip it up as much as I can since they don't have the resistance of the ground (to pull off small bits) . They clean it all up within a few minutes. It's nuts.
I thought it was supposed to be about 2 weeks BEFORE your pullets start to lay you are supposed to switch to layer pellet? I could be totally wrong. Here in Canada I cannot even buy all flock. I can get medicated chick starter, grower, and layer. Pellet or "textured". No adult food without calcium added.
I find my chickens go through a ton of grit. Even though they free range 12 hours a day. Weird. Right? Chickens are weird.

I have heard experienced folks here say they can stay on the grower formula indefinitely, as the protein balance is about the same. Also, since you do not know when your chickens are going to start laying, leave them on the grower and just make OS available. They may sample it (even roosters) out of curiosity, but will pretty much leave it alone unless and until their bodies require it. Nature is amazing!

 

[misshell]

Sounds like you are doing everything right..... maybe post a photo of the nutrients from the feed bag label?
Do they get greens? Sorry I dont recall if you said they free range or have access to grass. I see so many coops with just dirt, My flock eats so much grass.... and when I walk by my rooster pen (they only free range once a week), I always throw in a big handful or two of grass and dandelion leaves, I rip it up as much as I can since they don't have the resistance of the ground (to pull off small bits) . They clean it all up within a few minutes. It's nuts.
I thought it was supposed to be about 2 weeks BEFORE your pullets start to lay you are supposed to switch to layer pellet? I could be totally wrong. Here in Canada I cannot even buy all flock. I can get medicated chick starter, grower, and layer. Pellet or "textured". No adult food without calcium added.
I find my chickens go through a ton of grit. Even though they free range 12 hours a day. Weird. Right? Chickens are weird.

That makes a lot of sense about the grass. Usually I do free range them for about six hours a day, but lately I have only been letting them out for an hour or two around 3-4 in the afternoon because they’ve started to lay eggs. I don’t want them laying any in the yard. Maybe they just REALLY want some grass? You’re right. Chickens are so weird! I really like them though... and learning about their behaviors

 

[misshell]

Hmm, okay, well this is a puzzle then. Are all your birds laying now, then?

No, three of my four gold sex links just started laying. I also have four buff Orpingtons that are showing zero signs of laying any time soon. The BO aren’t the ones gorging. That’s why I have a hunch the new layers are missing something from their diet.

 

[misshell]

I have heard experienced folks here say they can stay on the grower formula indefinitely, as the protein balance is about the same. Also, since you do not know when your chickens are going to start laying, leave them on the grower and just make OS available. They may sample it (even roosters) out of curiosity, but will pretty much leave it alone unless and until their bodies require it. Nature is amazing!

Thanks so much for that. I’ve been worried about my girls who aren’t laying yet with having OS available. I will stick to the grower feed for now.

 

[misshell]

I do read it here from time to time that birds like to pick their favorite grains out of scratch and peck, and so don't end up getting a balanced diet like they're supposed to. could you try switching their feed to a pellet or a crumble and see if they behave any different?

I am open to that!

 

[rosemarythyme]

This is probably overcomplicating it, but as I also feed Scratch & Peck grower - 1) I only feed it fermented, so all the grains and fines clump together, which forces the birds to eat everything every time, no picking and choosing favorite bits. 2) I also offer crumble or pelleted feed, dry, during the day so they'll always have food available, but never have the ability to only pick out specific ingredients in the feed.

 

[misshell]

This is probably overcomplicating it, but as I also feed Scratch & Peck grower - 1) I only feed it fermented, so all the grains and fines clump together, which forces the birds to eat everything every time, no picking and choosing favorite bits. 2) I also offer crumble or pelleted feed, dry, during the day so they'll always have food available, but never have the ability to only pick out specific ingredients in the feed.

I offer them a separate bowl of Scratch and Peck wet and it clumps together just like how you say it does when fermented. They actually prefer it that way over dry. What brand do you use for pellet or crumble feed? That’s great idea

 

[rosemarythyme]

I offer them a separate bowl of Scratch and Peck wet and it clumps together just like how you say it does when fermented. They actually prefer it that way over dry. What brand do you use for pellet or crumble feed? That’s great idea

Wet is good, fermented is better (simply put, it's even stickier/clumpier). But if that doesn't fit your schedule feeding it wet is better than dry.

For my dry feed, I use Payback Hatch to Hen (which is an all flock crumble) or Layer Pellets. Since you're in CA maybe Modesto Milling is a more accessible brand, assuming you're looking for organic feed.

 

[misshell]

Wet is good, fermented is better (simply put, it's even stickier/clumpier). But if that doesn't fit your schedule feeding it wet is better than dry.

For my dry feed, I use Payback Hatch to Hen (which is an all flock crumble) or Layer Pellets. Since you're in CA maybe Modesto Milling is a more accessible brand, assuming you're looking for organic feed.

I am! I just looked up Modesto Milling. Seems like a great brand. I will likely try a small bag and see how the girls like it. You are awesome. Thank you so much!