Picky Chickens rejecting feed.

[IdyllwildAcres]

I have a rubber feed bowl under my pvc feeder, every few days I scoop out the pecked out feed, usually very powdery and put in another bowl and mix with water and they eat it up.

Gary

 

[chick mansion]

I've known for a while that my chickens were picky. I've got the PVC pipe style feeders. I've been feeding Nutrena Feather Fixer for the last year since they make a mess with anything else I've tried. Any standard layer feed and they scatter it all over the floor.

We currently have chickens of all ages (3 weeks and up) living in the coop/run. That's working out okay except for the feed issues.

I've been experimenting with different starter/growers but no matter what I put out they scratch it all onto the floor. I've probably tossed out around 150lbs of feed in the last month or so. They aren't eating it, and then getting mean about whatever scraps they are given - because they are hungry. Also, I've gotten a soft shelled egg and I've got a few that crack as soon as you pick them up. They have unlimited free choice oyster shell!!!

I caved and filled the feeders with the feather fixer again, and added some smaller feeders with starter/grower.

Is this common? Are they just being ridiculous?? Does anyone have a better idea??

Not sure if this would help, but my chickens love it when their feed is mixed with water. It is inevitable that they will make a mess, but they still eat what they drop on the floor!

 

[AmberKnits]

Yes Multi-Flock is a 20% protein with around 1% calcium, so you'll need oyster shell in a separate container. Purina makes a crumble and pellet formula. But my TSC only carries crumble. GC

Thanks, I'll look this weekend. I do have a feeder full of oyster shell already, so that won't be a problem.

 

[AmberKnits]

I'll try mixing the wasted feed with water! It's just getting thrown in the run now anyway.