What the heck, my chickens are mowing through the food....

[Tgallaher1]

So, a bag of crumbles was lasting about a month, and now it seems its only about two weeks?!?!?! I have 6 chickens, is it possible that they are just eating more because its winter? Or do you think there are some mice sharing it with them?? Thanks for any advice in advance!

 

[lazy gardener]

you most likely have rodents. How old are they? If full sized, a bag should last you for a month based on .3#/bird/day.

 

[Cynthia12]

Sparrows, that's what eats ours! No way to keep them out. Plus, our chickens do eat more in the winter here.

 

[TheFluffyButt]

It's highly likely that your chickens have learnt to share their feed with unwanted guests, perhaps house mice, pigeons, doves or other wild birds.

How do you feed your chickens;
Do you have a feeder;
Could you post pictures of your chickens feeder;

 

[SueT]

I remove all food at night. Mice are still active in very cold temps. We trapped one last night, and it got down to 5º.

 

[lissalischicks]

I notice they do eat more but so do the sparrows that steal their food I've done everything to stop them but they keep coming back

 

[Cynthia12]

Oh yes, we still have those mice critters too.

 

[Cynthia12]

That isn't the only thing sparrows do. They carry mites. I treat my girls during the winter too.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Rats also.

Were your chickens smaller when they used to eat less?

Yep winter makes some difference but it shouldn't be that big.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Isn't necessarily too far off it is really cold. Is it a 40 or 50 lb. bag?