Won't Eat Feed

[speckledhen]

There may be drawbacks of pool type DE, but not food grade. I put about a cup of it in every new feed bag and stir it around. Doesn't hurt the birds, but it wipes out the bugs.
Most feed bags actually have a warning on them about not feeding bug-infested feed to your birds. I wont buy it if there are bugs in it, at least that I can see in the store. Bugs will degrade the nutritional value of the feed and turn it to powder over time.

 

[chickenpiedpiper]

Stay away from buggy feed. In addition to eating the grain themselves, the insects are a sign of AGE. Old food may also contain molds and fungus that can cause respiratory problems along with a whole batch of other issues.

As to a proper ratio of Scratch to crumble, well I got a stern dressing down by some old timers who came to visit. Fat Chickens are not necesarily healthy chickens, and actually lay less eggs. Free range chickens will run around all day with full bulging crops, but will still run and beg from you the provider of 'goodies'. Mix scratch with a nutritionally balanced food, and they will pick out the stuff they like and leave the rest behind as waste, or cleverly scratch it under the bedding so you think they ate it and give them more! (and people say chickens are stupid)

I was doing the same thing you are, I drew satisfaction from seeing them come running and attack the feed. If they didnt go right for it, it must not be good enuff.

Well, now I fill thier feeders at NIGHT after they have gone to roost, then when they get up in the mornings they fill them selves with the nutrious crumbles. When I release them to free range for the day, they go tearing off in search of bugs and exercise like they are starving, but I see those bulging crops and empty feeders. I am not suckered any more!

Later in the day I go out with the household scraps from the day before, and with some scratch. This is my quality time with them. My egg count is UP even tho it is fall, my birds are not wasting all the feed they used to so my feed costs are down! and when my Old Timer guests come, well, now I have some 'Good lookin birds'!

Try it , you might be surprised! Good Luck!

 

[speckledhen]

I agree. I never mix scratch in the feed. If I did, they'd bill out all the layer pellets looking for the goodies.

 

[LynneP]

I wonder if you should call the western supplier to put your mind at ease. Also, in Canada we have many suppliers and even custom milling in hundreds of areas- with a population as great as yours, I suspect you'll find another supplier from a different source. Might be worth consulting some other poultry growers from your area, I bet there are many here.

 

[luckitri]

Wow, thanks for all the input!

Now that it is getting cooler and I got bug-free feed from the store - well they eat everything in the mix. They do not waste, believe me. The last time I had chickens I would feed all separate and the oyster shell would be all over the place. I have much less waste - actually none, this way. I will need to look for another feed provider when buggy season starts.

The feed from the one store really was not good enough. It had a different color and slightly different size and shape in addition to the bugs.

I do try to fill up the feeder at dusk so they will have it in their pen in the a.m. until I let them out. As far as scraps go - the only thing they like is bready type products, corn tortillas and such. I am hoping that the babies will be more versatile and encourage these to expand their tastes.

Actually the bantam was a better eater and less afraid of new things. When I give an ear of corn she would even eat the silk! Not anymore.

When the babies grow up I think I need to re-home the bantam to a place with other bantams. Otherwise I fear she will be picked on.

Now I need to learn how to make chicken manure tea!

 

[LynneP]

I'm so pleased things have turned around for you! Birds knew, I guess...

 

[cmom]

I tried both pellets and crumbles. My birds prefer crumbles. I raised my feeder so it is level with their backs, and there is a lot less waste. I tried a small bag of pellets but they didn't seem to eat it to well, so I switched back to crumbles, but I started them on crumbles. I smashed up the pellets and mixed it with their crumbles. Mine have access 24/7 to their food and water. I give them treats of scratch, (oats, sunflower seeds, once in awhile bird seed, cracked corn etc.), in small quanities as these are treats. I also give them vegies, fruits, most everything that I can grow. I do grow a lot of corn and watermelon especially, also tomatoes, squash, root crops, the list can go on. I feed them everything except potatoes. I figure they will eat what they want. I do free range them. Also, they get free choice oyster shells and granite grit.