silly questions i'm sure

[gritsar]

Quote:
Yes, chickens do get bored and they may be eating for lack of something better to do. I know some folks hang heads of cabbage, brocolli or cauliflower for their chickens to peck at and amuse themselves with. A flock block (sold commercially or you can make your own) is another good distraction.

 

[grandmaof5]

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Fifty lbs of feed for 9 hens/week? If I've done the math correctly, for my 3 that would be 50 lbs every 3 weeks..right? Wow! I use 5 (!) lbs bags, and I'm on my 3rd bag ...they are 10 weeks old now. So that means mine haven't gone through 15 lbs of feed in 10 weeks. There is always food there during the day; at night when I say good night, I just remove it , and return it in the morning. They have never run out of feed in their feeder... I am guessing they will eat more as they mature, but 50 lbs in 3 weeks?! I can't see it...

 

[OregonChickenGal]

Something else must be eating their feed. I have 10 hens, they have free choice everyday and I go through a 50# bag once a month.

 

[chickendude]

I would bet that something is pulling a chair up to your feeder and freeloading after dark. 50 lbs is way to much feed.

 

[henney penny]

Are they meat birds?I don`t have any but I understand that they stand at the feeder and eat all day long.

 

[boogiedog]

I agree with Callimen - something must be eating the food. I have 29 birds and go through 50 lbs in about 2 weeks. (they also get supplemental treats - BOSS, veggies, flock blocks, etc)

 

[watsonlane]

I don't have any signs of anything eating the food but I guess we can start with that. They aren't meat chicks, they are strictly for eggs. That's why it's so confusing as to what's eating the food. Gotta get something for them to do during the day, maybe that will help too. Also, gonna get some new flooring to see if that will help with the poo issue. Thanks for all your help!!!!!

 

[parkersmom120106]

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My chickens freak when they see me coming and attack any food I put in their dish even when there's still food left from the day before. So I know they can't be that hungry...if they were there was food there for them to eat lol. Is it possible that some other critter is helping them eat it?