Switched feed and girls are now throwing feed on the ground.

[Amanda E]

I recently switched from a non organic feed to an organic one. I mixed the feed for a few weeks before completely transitioning them to the new feed. Now that we have been exclusively on the organic feed my girls are throwing it on the ground. They have never done this before. Thoughts and suggestions?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Chickens are fickle and it can be hard to switch feeds on them. It sounds like they are digging to find the better stuff, which is normal. The organic may not contain some of the good stuff the non organic had. You could try a different feeder. When I switched mine from a crumble to a pellet it took a few months of mixing.

 

[Amanda E]

I mixed for almost 2 months. I'm thinking perhaps I will not put more feed in the feeder until they eat what they threw on the ground so long as the feed is still good. When it starts going off or gets wet I'll have to pull it out. But it sounds like they are probably just protesting.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Is your new feed whole grain, or crumble/ pellets? Birds will pick out the yummy bits and leave the rest if offered a choice. Mary

 

[Amanda E]

Both the old feed and new are pellets.

 

[Folly's place]

Are the mill dates on the bags good, or is it old stuff? Maybe different feeders, or a different feed. Mary

 

[Amanda E]

They are still good.

 

[barred2rock]

I elevate my feeder (just a bowl) so the girls have to stretch their necks to get at the feed. This prevents their ability to beak out the feed.