Spoiled chicken wont eat their food.

[galanie]

I quit giving my chickens treats to make them eat their food. Strange how absolutely tasty their food is to them now that they don't get that afternoon treat any more. They free range and eat a ton of bugs too, but no matter how healthy the treat, it shouldn't replace their food. It took a few days before they'd eat it but they do now. They are back to getting treats but not every day. I surprise them at different times of day and some days they get no treats at all. They know they can't count on a treat so they eat their food. I'd suggest doing the same. Mind you, their treats are special foods that I really want them to have such as Kefir and scrambled eggs and sometimes a bit of cat food, but none of that should replace their crumbles.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Sunflower seeds (seed)
raisins (fruit)
craisins (fruit)
yogurt (protein, calcium)

Ok so what you are missing here is grains. They really need grains, and if you feed too many seeds and not enough grains there won't be balance. I would definitely research different chicken feeds for your balance and mix your own (see my BYC page for what I do) or give them commercial organic (organic is what I like) feed.

They really need grains. And pay special attention to protein concentration and balance- offer a wide variety if mixing your own feed, IMO.

 

[al6517]

Quote:
Sunflower seeds (seed)
raisins (fruit)
craisins (fruit)
yogurt (protein, calcium)

Ok so what you are missing here is grains. They really need grains, and if you feed too many seeds and not enough grains there won't be balance. I would definitely research different chicken feeds for your balance and mix your own (see my BYC page for what I do) or give them commercial organic (organic is what I like) feed.

They really need grains. And pay special attention to protein concentration and balance- offer a wide variety if mixing your own feed, IMO.

The OP doesn't seem concerned with proper poultry nutrition as suggested here by a few of us, because maybe the chickens might get mad or feel slighted without more treats than real food, IDK some folks just don't get it and may never. I feel for the chickens.

 

[gophert]

Okay, I am a newbie chicken owner so forgive my ignorance. I am trying to learn.

They free range and eat a ton of bugs too, but no matter how healthy the treat, it shouldn't replace their food

Why not? If the chicken is laying well and appears healthy, what is the problem? I thought they didn't lay well if their diet was off.

They really need grains.

Why do they need grains? Aren't chickens evolved from a jungle bird that would basically eat fruit, seeds, greens, and bugs in the wild? I see a lot of talk around here about how too much scratch is what's bad, and that's all grains, isn't it?

Is the concern here that the chicken will live a short life, or what? Wil a layer "burn out" on a diet of too much protein or something? (Do we think the OP is giving too much protein?)​

 

[al6517]

Quote:
Why not? If the chicken is laying well and appears healthy, what is the problem? I thought they didn't lay well if their diet was off.

They really need grains.

Why do they need grains? Aren't chickens evolved from a jungle bird that would basically eat fruit, seeds, greens, and bugs in the wild? I see a lot of talk around here about how too much scratch is what's bad, and that's all grains, isn't it?

Is the concern here that the chicken will live a short life, or what? Wil a layer "burn out" on a diet of too much protein or something? (Do we think the OP is giving too much protein?)​

Not at all........... the point here is it's the owners responsibility to know what proper nutrition is and to know what is right, not just assume because of all the off the wall stuff you read on questionable forums. Have you ever read how many post are concerning when can I start to feed a 4 day old chick treats............... about ............ well ................ let's ............ see............. about 40 bazillion. that should tell you the mind set is way off base, and in their minds it's not about healthy nutrition but what makes the human owner feel good not the bird.

We put a man on the MOON !!!! I think we can make a good chicken feed that's better for them than junk from the pantry, but you got to be realistic people. feed chicken feed and treat in moderation !!!!!

 

[spiritdance]

Quote:
Sunflower seeds (seed)
raisins (fruit)
craisins (fruit)
yogurt (protein, calcium)

Ok so what you are missing here is grains. They really need grains, and if you feed too many seeds and not enough grains there won't be balance. I would definitely research different chicken feeds for your balance and mix your own (see my BYC page for what I do) or give them commercial organic (organic is what I like) feed.

They really need grains. And pay special attention to protein concentration and balance- offer a wide variety if mixing your own feed, IMO.

The OP doesn't seem concerned with proper poultry nutrition as suggested here by a few of us, because maybe the chickens might get mad or feel slighted without more treats than real food, IDK some folks just don't get it and may never. I feel for the chickens.

Wow, really? I could have sworn the OP asked about balancing the "treats" to make them more nutritious - "Should I be adding something else to their diet?" - ! And it seems to me being concerned about egg production has as much to do with how healthy the hen is as it does with wanting the eggs. I know plenty of people who mix their own feed, wouldn't dream of feeding a bagged feed, and are great owners, so why the diss on this OP, who asked a legitimate question that chickensaresweet tried to address in a respectful manner? "Proper" chicken nutrition does NOT have to come out of a bag! You know, I love this forum, but sometimes the attitudes some of the posters pull on others gets a bit overbearing! A little courtesy goes a long way.

 

[al6517]

You may have misunderstood my point a bit............ not intended to be harsh just a little jolt of commonality. I custom mix my feed in many different combinations but all from balanced bag feed of different things. If you read the OP's first post she mentions the whole spoiled chicken feed program, birds don't get spoiled unless the owner spoils them, that's my point. I may use a more firm tone in my post because it is intended to be a reality check, all to often folks post Q's not to get real answers but for support, when common sense answers are given it's met with distain. Not meant to be disrespectfull at all, but responsible.

 

[drumstick diva]

Free ranging is great but, if you have harsh winters like alot of us do I'm assuming your birds won't be able to forage in snow. If you keep giving all the yummies they won't eat chicken feed - their diet will end up being entirely treats. Ooh boy!

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Quote:
Your feeding schedule is so much out of whack for them, their intake of non chicken type food is too high and you failed at the forcing them into a healthier chicken feed diet because you think the unhealthy snacks make them lay better, so you went back to it. The fact that they free range is good for them but when supplemented with junk food they won't go to the feed. Chicken layer feed is so much healtheir for them when the are able to free range and that is the ideal diet, but you just want more egg's. Your not alone however many many pet chicken owners choose the same radical poor feeding methods, because ..... well .... it makes the human feel better not the chicken, although this feed regimine won't hurt them it doesn't help them either. You just have to pick a proper feeding program and stick to it the chickens will enventualy come around and eat what you give them, they will also be healtheir for it. Something tells me however that you really can't/won't follow a balanced treat schedule, and that's fine it happens.

x10!!!

 

[drumstick diva]

I find the same problems with dog owners. I raised show dogs and they ate the same thing day after day, year after year without tiring ot it. They would get a special treat hard boiled egg after having a bath and blow dry - they were pretty eager to have baths after that. My friend has a small dog - overweight of course, because she spoiled him with all manner of treats.If he turned up his nose at dogfood one day she cooked for him. I watch her grocery shop, ground sirloin ( she seasons with garlic & onion), liver, other cuts of beef etc. He also won't eat any dog treats because they aren't people treats. He gets ice cream, cookies, cake - anything else he asks for.Poor thing can't waddle to the mailbox without panting all the way.

She is the same with her chickens- she buys them all manner of veggies, watermelon, etc and they get the treats of ice cream, cookies etc. No amount of talking will change her, she gets downright vicious if you give her info on actual good brands of chicken feed. Her chickens look like inflated basketballs and haven't been laying well at all. I give up but I sure will say "I told ya so." when they pass prematurely. Good thing she never had kids.

PS My kennel of dogs still loved me even tho I didn't heap yummies on them.