They pick out the BOSS...and throw it on the ground

[Peppermint]

So I ordered this awesome feed that has BOSS in it, and my girls won't eat the BOSS! They pick all around it or just throw the BOSS on the ground like it was poison! There is a big pile of it below the feeder. Did any of your girls turn their noses up at it and then eventually decide it was awesome???

 

[Flat Chicken Ranch]

Our chickens would not eat it at first. We bought a bag of straight BOSS and initially we sprinkled it on the ground like we do when we give them scratch for a treat. They ignored it! We found that if we dump it in 2 or 3 larger patches instead of sprinkling it around they would pick at it, and after a while it got to the point where they'll eat it all up. I think it might help that we started giving it to them every morning when we let them out, first treat of the day.

 

[Peppermint]

They ARE little piggies...I bet if I put the BOSS in a bowl like the one they get yogurt in, they'll figure out the BOSS is tasty!

 

[sydney13]

this morning i started feeding my chickens new feed with boss in it. the did the exact opposite of yours and they will scratch around in the feed to find all the sun flower seeds to eat.

 

[gryeyes]

BOSS is my flock's morning treat. All by itself, not mixed with anything. Some of the younger members of the flock aren't quite sure about it, but when the bigger chickens push 'em out of the way to get those black goodies from right under their beaks, they start to realize they're missing something.

 

[CubRed]

mine won't eat BOSS if it's the slightest bit rancid...

pickey eaters...they demand fresh...

 

[CarolAnn]

I was about to ask "what is BOSS" and then it came to me. Black Oiled Sunflower Seeds, right? I've seen this mentioned often, so it must be a popular treat for your chickens. Good for the chickies or drawbacks to feeding it? I have a partial bag in my shed from last winter. Never occured to me to feed it to my flock. They snarf down freezer burned hamburger buns and frozen corn on the cob, so they ought to love the sunflower seeds that have been in storage for a few months.

Any problems giving the sunflower seeds to my girls and the dudes?

 

[Organics North]

Quote:
Good point... IMO we often underestimate the "intelligence" of a chicken.

Try some of the BOSS see if it is good smelling and good tasting like a fresh sunflower seed. Matter of fact I always taste my grains, to be sure they are not rancid..

Either rancid or the birds just need some time to get used to the "new food"


ON

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
It's higher in protein than is "scratch" which I refuse to give to my birds. And the oil really helps promote feather growth. I feel good giving BOSS as a treat for those reasons. My flock looks GOOD.

Even my two ducks will eat BOSS right out of my hand - with 2 or 3 hens pecking at it right next to 'em at the same time. They all just crowd in there to get some. (That's the afternoon treat, sometimes. In the mornings I just toss about 3 handsfuls into the run to get the feathered folk out of my way so I can fill feeders and change waterers and all that chore stuff. Or I'd never get to leave to go to work!)

 

[dragonlair]

I feed BOSS to my goats, horses and chickens. It took the chickens a few days to realize they were good stuff, but now that thye know, they dive on them!