Uncontrollable chickens

[guineawoman]

I would love to hear any suggestions on this issue I'm having. My chickens free range all day and I give them NON-GMO food because I want healthy chickens. I also have guineas and they just eat regular old food. The chickens stand at the guinea coop in the morning waiting to get in an eat their food. They chase my younger guineas out of their own coop. I've taken the food up during the day and that still doesn't stop them. It's not fair for the guineas and I'm just thinking of building a run for the chickens because they're out of control. They will not eat their own food and I've changed it several times, it still didn't help. Before I coop them up all day does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[sourland]

I would guess that the 'regular old food' is more palatable and a better balanced diet than the NON-GMO feed that you are feeding. Birds will always choose a more palatable diet.

 

[Mrs. K]

Chickens know more about being chickens than people do. Trust their judgement, they are needing something in that feed.

I would just be glad and feed them all the same thing.

Mrs K

 

[guineawoman]

Thank you for your replies. The whole purpose of getting chickens was to raise them on a clean non GMO diet so I don't have to buy store bought eggs. I'm just wondering why they would put a layer non GMO feed on the market if it wasn't good for them?
I really don't care what kind of food the guineas eat since I'm not eating them or their eggs, it's the chickens that concern me.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

I hear you! Birds can be picky.

You can consider fermenting their feed, chickens love that. Or you could try mixing your own non-GMO, which may be cheaper or more expensive than buying it, depending on a few things.

 

[donrae]

Thank you for your replies. The whole purpose of getting chickens was to raise them on a clean non GMO diet so I don't have to buy store bought eggs. I'm just wondering why they would put a layer non GMO feed on the market if it wasn't good for them?
I really don't care what kind of food the guineas eat since I'm not eating them or their eggs, it's the chickens that concern me.

How much more $$ do you pay for your non-gmo layer feed vs. conventional layer feed? That's probably the answer to that question

Often the organic feed does not contain animal proteins, which birds seem to crave. That may be what your non-gmo feed may be lacking, you'll have to compare labels between the two feeds and see what the difference is.

 

[Beekissed]

How about feeding the guinea fowl the same thing your layers get, then there will no issues at all. Feed them all the same feed and let them flock together, eating at the same time. Problem solved.

 

[shortgrass]

How about feeding the guinea fowl the same thing your layers get, then there will no issues at all.  Feed them all the same feed and let them flock together, eating at the same time.  Problem solved. 

Agreed... Guineas really don't eat much in the way of commercial feed if they have a good supply of bugs, etc.... Mine nibble with the hens in the morning, but then off to go find better things....

Maybe putting the guinea food up higher? Mine sit on top if the coop and eyeball things, id maybe put it up there if my chooks were being piggies lol

The non GMO feed that the chooks are hogging? It most likely is the salt. Most Feeds dont have animal protein n anymore, anyway, but a lot of soy, and a lot of salt and fats in the corn and meals.... Try supplementing with whole grains...add in a scoop of fresh wheat, or oats, something to get theit palates going,.. Some BOSS maybe to keep them entertained?

Think organic food lol ; admit it, tofu us BLAND lol, I add soy sauce to mine hint hint lol

 

[guineawoman]

Thanks so much for all the info!! I'm looking into making my own feed. Feeding them together isn't an option. I don't want my chickens eating that food plus they don't get along at all. I have younger guineas and the rooster chases them off and out of their own coop. My alpha male guinea grabs my rooster by the tail and swigs him around and throws him.
I did try to put the food up high but my chickens still go in the coop and chase the younger guineas out?!? Ugh, why can't everyone just get along?!?
I anyone has any recipes for food I would be very grateful!! I got some oats yesterday and sunflower seeds but they're back at the guinea coop this morning!!!
The feed is at lot of $$$ twice the cost of regular feed but I certainly can make my own!!! Save me some $$$!!
I forgot to mention that pretty much all corn and soy are GMO's unless otherwise stated. 88% of corn and 91% of soy are all GMO's. finding a bag of corn that's not GMO is nearly impossible unless I grow my own which I'm planning on doing. I'm VERY against any GMOs and I don't eat them AT ALL!! That's why the feed is so much money. No one grows non GMOs anymore. They are very hard to come by.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

I have in my signature a link to a thread I made with different feed recipes. See if there are any you like. Some of them seem pretty cheap, others more expensive. One of them has the cost to make it included in the recipe. Check it out! (and if you like it please leave a comment there! I don't want the thread to get lost!)

Thanks so much for all the info!! I'm looking into making my own feed. Feeding them together isn't an option. I don't want my chickens eating that food plus they don't get along at all. I have younger guineas and the rooster chases them off and out of their own coop. My alpha male guinea grabs my rooster by the tail and swigs him around and throws him.
I did try to put the food up high but my chickens still go in the coop and chase the younger guineas out?!? Ugh, why can't everyone just get along?!?
I anyone has any recipes for food I would be very grateful!! I got some oats yesterday and sunflower seeds but they're back at the guinea coop this morning!!!

The feed is at lot of $$$ twice the cost of regular feed but I certainly can make my own!!! Save me some $$$!!