Sudden change in chicken behavior

[kwgrid]

I use wheat straw in the coop and will also sprinkled some on the run area just outside the coop after it rains so I won't slip when I have to go in there for some reason. The chickens (4 hens and a rooster) also seem to like scratching it around to look for things.

Here's the weirdness. This afternoon I saw all the chickens eating skinny pieces of the wheat straw. I've never seen them do that before and I watch them A LOT every day (I'm retired). They didn't just eat a piece or two and move on. They seem to eat an awful lot of it. Lord knows they get plenty to eat and it's available 24/7 because they're still growing (3 1/2 months old). I also give them treats of millet seed and sometimes finely chopped apple or a few live crickets from the local bait store (which they LOVE...and is huge entertainment for me

).

Is this normal? Is it okay for them to eat the wheat straw...well, that much of it? And they all seemed to go at it at the same time. Is something missing in their diet? Am I overly concerned?

 

[shelleyd2008]

Eating straw can cause impacted crop. If they have access to grass, they would eat that all the time. They are just trying to tell you what they need. Next time you mow your grass, take a few armfuls of clippings and toss in their run, they will love you for it.

 

[kwgrid]

There is grass in one area of their pen. At one point I was sprouting some of the millet seed and giving them that (which they love) but it's not doing right now. Maybe it's too hot or this particular batch of seed is not good. My yard (and the grass in their pen) is primarily St. Augustine. They snip the ends off so it stays low in the pen. I'll try the grass clippings idea.

What can I give them to counteract the "side effects" of eating too much wheat straw?

 

[shelleyd2008]

Just make sure they have plenty of grit, you should be able to pick some up at your feed store.

 

[kwgrid]

Quote:
Thank you so much!! I give them grit. Glad to know it's as simple that.

I also took your suggestion about grass clippings except it was too wet to mow up a section. har I found some 'skinny' short grasses on a hill next to my house and picked them a bunch. Funny thing though, they wouldn't eat it unless I was holding it. ha When I put it on the ground they kinda fiddled with it then walked off. For whatever reason they love to eat out of my hand. Grass is fine to do that way because it's sticking out away from my hands and fingers. I use to feed them millet seed out of my hand but now they're too big and those beaks can pack a wallup....especially the rooster.