Why do chickens eat off the floor?

[TheReadyBoys]

Lately I've noticed that my hens are wasting a lot of feed. They seem to peck at it, so that it falls out of the feeder and onto the ground. They eat it from there. Is this normal or is there something wrong?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Normal. They are birds, so they eat off the ground. This is what they do when they range about, looking for seeds, grasses, bits, worms, insects, etc.

 

[steelchair]

My birds scratch the ground even when eating out of the feeder. Normal but funny

 

[CindyJeann]

Chickens naturaly scratch through grass looking for fallen seed and bugs. It's normal behavior. Eating from a feeder is unatural but if it tastes good they don't mind.

 

[donrae]

Cause if they didn't eat off the ground they'd have starved to extinction thousands of years ago?

Sorry, couldn't resist. It's late.

What they all said. Scratching is very instinctive, to bring seeds/bugs to the surface for easy pecking. If you ever have the chance to watch a broody hen teach her new hatched babies to scratch, be prepred to pull up a seat. It's the sweetest thing!

 

[TheReadyBoys]

Ok, thanks!