PLEASE HELP

[sandimaschick]

I have 3 plymouth rock hens. They are backyard chickens not free ranging. Ever since I switched to the adult egg layer mash feed, (vegetable blend) the hens WILL NOT touch the cracked corn that is mixed in with the food. They kick it around and waste it. Has anyone ever heard of this? Is there a way to get them to eat it? Is there any other food options for egg layers? Please help, they are going through food at am alarming rate and wasting most of it.

 

[Judy]

Maybe they need the nutrition in the layer feed? There is no need to feed corn; they need nothing but layer.

Chickens are omnivores. When I am buying an all vegetable feed, I find ways to add animal protein to their diet.

 

[sandimaschick]

thank you for the reply, but the corn is already mixed in with the layer mash, I don't add it.

 

[Trefoil]

I would try another brand of layer.

 

[ChickMagnet207]

If you are concerned with wasting feed switch to layer pellets

 

[blondiebee181]

If you are concerned with wasting feed switch to layer pellets

Yeah I feed layer pellets and they get plenty of kitchen scraps which they love. They also go crazy for dried mealworms. I also have ducks who are eating flock-raiser at the moment so I sometimes add a little of that to the layer for extra protein as well as free choice oyster shell. My hens run the yard during the day, I'm in the city so it's not a huge yard. I have corn, but I only feed it once in a while. It's not required in a chicken's diet.

 

[Vicky2479]

I find if you only offer a certain amount then they tend to clean it all up because they know there is no more available. My hens get vegetarian feed aswell (I add protein from kitchen scraps) they get fed twice a day, it took about a week for me to work out how much to give them so they would clean it all up but not be looking for more, the only time I have waste is if my daughter goes out and tries to give them extra then they just pic out a few of their favorite bits and leave the rest (bring on the wild birds).

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I'd change to a feed that didn't have the corn. I give mine pellets which they like okay. I don't give anything extra or any treat until afternoon as I want them to get most of their nutrition from the feed. Afternoon I will give them goodies from the garden or sunflower seeds or some scratch. Funny thing, they're not crazy about the corn in the scratch. However, they love fresh corn.

No use in buying something they won't eat, especially if they're making a mess getting rid of it.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I find if you only offer a certain amount then they tend to clean it all up because they know there is no more available. My hens get vegetarian feed aswell (I add protein from kitchen scraps) they get fed twice a day, it took about a week for me to work out how much to give them so they would clean it all up but not be looking for more, the only time I have waste is if my daughter goes out and tries to give them extra then they just pic out a few of their favorite bits and leave the rest (bring on the wild birds).

X2! If you don't fill up as fast & make them eat the powder & corn, you should have less waste. Another option is to gather the mash that's left in the feeder every couple days & mix with water. They go crazy for this and usually eat it quite quickly.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Just one more option. Instead of feeding the mash dry, try making a moist porridge. Use a small bucket and add some water and stir. Serve.

Birds kept in small containment are easily bored. They'll waste any style of feed. They are counting on you to just give them more, so they pick through again and again, this is how they pass the time. Make them clean up what is in the feeding trough before feeding any more. They'll not starve themselves, they'll eat it. If you feed too much at one time, they can afford to be fussy and picky.