What are my chickens asking for?

[docdubz]

Ive been noticing for a while that my chickens are acting strange at feeding time. They are gathering in their "protesting for food" spot but when I feed them they are hardly interested in it and usually remain in the spot they go to when they want my attention. No health issues that I can see. They have a large run and the ability to free range if they want, theres plenty of grit for them and all the hens are laying strong eggs so it seems they are getting enough calcium too. Even when I throw them veggie/fruit scraps they are uninterested in it and it will sit there for a long time before they finally get around to eating it. So, definitely odd behavior, I just cant figure out what it is that they need. Any ideas?

 

[LaFleche]

What exactly are you feeding them and how much protein does this feed contain?

 

[docdubz]

What exactly are you feeding them and how much protein does this feed contain?

Dumor 16% layer feed.

 

[LaFleche]

Dumor 16% layer feed.

They might need some higher protein like 18-20% in winter if it gets cold where you live.

Other than that, hens kept without a rooster often can get bored and expect some entertainment from their keeper. I see this with my last years pullets only flock, they wait for me to come and entertain them.

My other flocks all have a rooster and are well entertained, so they don't expect anything but their feed from me.

 

[docdubz]

Oh they have no shortage of roosters, I actually need to pick 3 to cull because I have too many right now. I have some left over chick grower on hand ill see what happens if i give them that.

 

[LaFleche]

Oh they have no shortage of roosters, I actually need to pick 3 to cull because I have too many right now. I have some left over chick grower on hand ill see what happens if i give them that.

Do you already know which ones you will keep?

 

[docdubz]

My oldest rooster is for sure staying, maybe a dominique/slw corss as well. The other ones will be tough to cull because they are handsome and well behaved.

 

[LaFleche]

My oldest rooster is for sure staying, maybe a dominique/slw corss as well. The other ones will be tough to cull because they are handsome and well behaved.

You can always try to rehome them. This time of year people often lose a good rooster to predators and might need a new one.

 

[3KillerBs]

The other ones will be tough to cull because they are handsome and well behaved.

It doesn't hurt to try Craigslist.

I sold a Blue Cuckoo Marans cockerel because he is an unusual breed and so handsome that I thought he deserved a chance to be something other than a chicken dinner.

Tomorrow or Sunday I'll put up 3 Blue Australorp cockerels, again because they're an unusual breed that might be wanted.

 

[jBabychickn]

It doesn't hurt to try Craigslist.

I sold a Blue Cuckoo Marans cockerel because he is an unusual breed and so handsome that I thought he deserved a chance to be something other than a chicken dinner.

Tomorrow or Sunday I'll put up 3 Blue Australorp cockerels, again because they're an unusual breed that might be wanted.

Agreed! I recently rehomed a gorgeous Jubilee Orpington cockerel to an experienced chicken-keeping fella in my area that has at least 5 coops on his large property. He’s excited to use him for breeding.