pullets don't like crumbles...

[lambchicks]

6 or 7 of my 20 week old red sex link pullets are laying. I have a few slackers. So anyway, yesterday the grower/starter feed ran out. I went and purchased layer crumbles. They don't like it. I have added sand for grit in a seperate bowl. They just are not eating as much. Some even turned their head and didn't eat any at all.
Any ideas?
Thanks IA!
Cindy

 

[AmyBella]

Is the texture a lot different from their old feed? I'm sure they will eat it when they're hungry enough, but in the meantime I bet you could entice them to eat it by mixing in some applesauce or yogurt and serving it as a treat. If you really wanted to baby them, you could do this for a few days making the mixture drier and drier until they are just eating the crumbles!

 

[lambchicks]

The new feed is a lot more course. It also smells real different. I am glad I didn't get the pellets, they certainly would not have ate those! I do like your idea.

 

[LynneP]

Soften with a little water and they should be fine...

 

[cmom]

They will eat it when thery get hungry enough. Sometimes when I have changed feed they haven't seemed to eat it to well in the beginning but after a couple of days they will eat it. Now mine devour it.

 

[sillybirds]

Quote:
Chickens don't seem to like change too much. Mine were like yours initially. In addition to the texture difference, they may also prefer the higher protein content of the starter/grower mash. But they'll come around.

 

[big greg barker]

What I have discovered is they will eat it when they get hungry, but I don't like crumbles because they waste a LOT more feed. I won't use them any more because of that