Switched to layer crumbles, now there’s food waste!

[Littlebitshadow]

I have a 50 lb feeder that had in it the Nutrena grower crumbles that I slowly topped off with some Kalmbach layer crumbles. There was never an issue with food waste or them pulling out the food etc, so I topped it off with the Kalmbach layer crumbles and all of a sudden there’s TONS of waste! Like I filled up the whole feeder and it is more than half way down now! What gives?! Adjustment to the food?! They’re all of laying age and 4/8 are laying (all hens). Should I switch back to a Nutrena layer crumbles or are chickens being chickens and just deal with it. I literally just made a video review on how much I loved the feeder because of no waste too LOL

Thanks!!

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I have a 50 lb feeder that had in it the Nutrena grower crumbles that I slowly topped off with some Kalmbach layer crumbles. There was never an issue with food waste or them pulling out the food etc, so I topped it off with the Kalmbach layer crumbles and all of a sudden there’s TONS of waste! Like I filled up the whole feeder and it is more than half way down now! What gives?! Adjustment to the food?! They’re all of laying age and 4/8 are laying (all hens). Should I switch back to a Nutrena layer crumbles or are chickens being chickens and just deal with it. I literally just made a video review on how much I loved the feeder because of no waste too LOL

Thanks!!

Do you see waste on the floor/ground under the feeder? It must have gone somewhere, if not into your chickens? Is there suddenly a lot more poop under their roosts in the mornings?

Is there any chance that a rat or similar could have gained access to the feeding area and maybe climbed into the feeder and “gone to town” on it?


Edit to add: sorry, I didn’t mean to make this sound like an interrogation in some bad 1950’s TV police drama haha

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Nutrena grower crumbles

If they were on grower before I would just keep them on it and provide oyster shell on the side. Another possibility is they are beaking out the grower to get the Kalbach (which I assume tastes better cause it smells better), in which case they should stop after they’ve done throwing the old food all over the place. I don’t gradually switch feed though I know it’s often recommended. I try to keep different food separate unless it’s wet because they will pick through if they can to get to what they want.

 

[Altairsky]

They clearly hate layer.
Keep them on grower and provide oyster shell on the side. Layer feed is awful.

 

[Littlebitshadow]

Do you see waste on the floor/ground under the feeder? It must have gone somewhere, if not into your chickens? Is there suddenly a lot more poop under their roosts in the mornings?

Is there any chance that a rat or similar could have gained access to the feeding area and maybe climbed into the feeder and “gone to town” on it?


Edit to add: sorry, I didn’t mean to make this sound like an interrogation in some bad 1950’s TV police drama haha

Hahah no worries!! It’s all over the ground! Their poops are normal and no rats or anything have gotten in. Curious if they just don’t like the feed or what, it’s so bizarre!

 

[Littlebitshadow]

They clearly hate layer.
Keep them on grower and provide oyster shell on the side. Layer feed is awful.

I am thinking you’re right. They aren’t a fan of oyster, but I do have this crushed up calcium stuff I think I’m gonna mix in honestly.

 

[Littlebitshadow]

Yeah I tried mixing in it for the gradual introduction, but I guess I didn’t do it enough. I think I’m gonna stick with the grower. They aren’t fans of oyster shell, but I do have some crushed calcium I leave to the side along with crushed egg shells they’ll actually eat. Thank you!!!

If they were on grower before I would just keep them on it and provide oyster shell on the side. Another possibility is they are beaking out the grower to get the Kalbach (which I assume tastes better cause it smells better), in which case they should stop after they’ve done throwing the old food all over the place. I don’t gradually switch feed though I know it’s often recommended. I try to keep different food separate unless it’s wet because they will pick through if they can to get to what they want.

tried mixing