Switched to layer feed, pullets won't eat it?

[KristinJ8307]

I have 3 pullets about 20 weeks old, 2 of them just started laying 2 weeks ago and I just so happened to need to go out for feed last week anyhow so I switched to layer feed. They won't eat it barely at all. Should I try another brand? Switch back to what I was using? I have oyster shell out for if they want it, they free range all weekend and when I get home from work if it's early enough (not often enough as of late ugh) I dont give them a whole lot of table scraps, strawberry tops à few times a week is about it (my 2 kids love strawberries so I pack them in their lunches for school. I pull the leaves off and then cut the top with the stem off. That's what I give the chickens. We go thru a carton every other day but that not much for the chick-os). They had good appetites until I switched, still squaking for me to bring their food in the morning but when I do they take a couple pecks and that's it. I figured they would give in after a couple days but a full week later I was still coming home to a nearly full food bin after work I started giving them some scratch grains because I'm worried they are starving themselves - surely they wouldn't starve themselves right? Do I try a different brand of layer feed or go back to the grower feed I know they like

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I've found that chickens don't like change in feed or anything else. Just to be on the safe side, check the mill date to make sure the feed is fresh.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Don't offer any treats. Check the mill date on feed. Are you checking their crops at night to see if they're full? Maybe we can get an admin to combine your two similar threads. I'll ask

 

[BigBlueHen53]

When I change feed I usually mix it until they are switched. I'll start out by mixing a quarter of the new feed with 3/4 of their old feed for about a week. The second week, they get a 50/50 mixture. The third week, it'll be 3/4 new feed to 1/4 old feed, and by the fourth week they should be eating the new diet exclusively. Not such a shock to their systems that way.

 

[Happy hen lover]

That's exactly what I do. No they won't starve themselves but mixing is a better way to switch. Might want to get a small amount of old stuff and mix with new.

 

[aart]

surely they wouldn't starve themselves right?

Not likely. Cut out all treats util they start eating the new feed.

They had good appetites until I switched, still squaking for me to bring their food in the morning but when I do they take a couple pecks and that's it.

Do they have the feed available every hour they are awake?
If not, they should.

Is the new feed a different shape, i.e. pellets vs crumbles?

Check the mill date on feed.

Always a good idea.

 

[NatJ]

You could try serving some of the new feed as a wet mash, because many chickens like it better that way.

Just put a small amount of the feed in a dish, add water, and let it sit until the water soaks in (add more water if needed-- it usually takes more water than feed if you want the consistency of thick oatmeal, and more water yet if you want it even wetter.)

Serving the food wet does not change anything nutritionally, so it's still fine for the chickens to eat as much or as little as they like, but they will often gobble it up even if they are ignoring their dry food.

They will probably get used to eating the new feed dry with time, but serving some wet now might help them adjust faster, and can help prevent you worrying

 

[WIchickMama]

They could be eating when you aren't looking.

I mix current feed with new, when I can, so that they still have a taste of the old. We do that with all animal good here.

The mash works wonders as @NatJ said. I serve them wet mash daily and they think it is a treat

 

[3KillerBs]

I mixed feed when I change, but I expect my flock to eat anything I put into their feeder.

I never allowed my kids to be picky eaters and I certainly won't cater to picky chickens.

No healthy animal will starve itself in the presence of food -- assuming it understands that what's available *is* food. A chicken should learn to recognize that anything in the feeder is food.

That said,

Many of us here at BYC feed all-flock feed with oystershell on the side instead of layer. It's higher in protein and better meets the needs of heritage-breed birds who are expected to live out a longer lifespan rather than be culled at their first molt.

 

[Kiki]

I too say stop feeding the scratch grains and all treats.