Picky Chickies

[Crusty McPottydoodle]

So now I have my lovely new flock-O-three and they are way more interested in eating the grass beneath their feet and their layer pellets than they are with the scraps I pop into the run (young lettuce from the garden and the remains of a blueberry muffin). Now a I am a little concerned about putting out other stuff (I have some asparagus ends and broccoli butts from making dinner this evening) if they aren't going to bother eating it.

Is grass really that much yummier than lettuce and muffins?

Also, I lock them up at night, should I be making sure they have water and feed in their house?

Cheryl

 

[Judy]

Mine are free range and refuse half the treats I offer. Sometimes they are frightened of new foods; they do not like change.

Many here keep the food out of the coop to help control predators, if only mice and rats. I would not be comfortable with not offering at least water during the night, though. They won't get up to eat and drink during the night, except for the first few weeks, but they wake up at first light hungry and thirsty. And they often want a last snack when going in for the night. Guess it depends on your schedule.

 

[Kim_NC]

Ours have water and feed in the coops, including overnight. Any treats are fed outside. They have extra waterers outside as well.

I don't like to see chickens go without water. All bird species really need water.... wild bird will fly great distances to get it. This is also why a bird bath, koi pond or other water source will usually draw more wild birds to a yard than bird feeders alone.