Wont eat pellets!

[Minky]

Sometime this fall I noticed I wasn't needing to feed my chickens.... I would go in and their pellets weren't being eaten, days on end. They were following me around (they free range) so I knew they were hungry- I made a mash of their pellets (added water) for a few days...and some liked this, but many did not, and I dumped much of the mash out..
Then I bought "textured layer ration". They loved this and went nuts- but they leave the pellet part that is part of this "textured layer ration". I have played hardball and don't feed them until they eat the pellets-- but I need to wait several days and I worry that they are hungry.

What should I do? Am I just being a pushover?

I need to buy feed again soon- and winter is coming.. HELP!

 

[human1]

Sometime this fall I noticed I wasn't needing to feed my chickens.... I would go in and their pellets weren't being eaten, days on end. They were following me around (they free range) so I knew they were hungry- I made a mash of their pellets (added water) for a few days...and some liked this, but many did not, and I dumped much of the mash out..
Then I bought "textured layer ration". They loved this and went nuts- but they leave the pellet part that is part of this "textured layer ration". I have played hardball and don't feed them until they eat the pellets-- but I need to wait several days and I worry that they are hungry.

What should I do? Am I just being a pushover?

I need to buy feed again soon- and winter is coming.. HELP!

Maybe your chickens are picky? mine also get picky with pellets sometimes
have you seen them eat bugs or anything when they free-range?

 

[Minky]

yes, they love bugs, and eat lots of grass, berries etc.. I limit how much food scraps I give them, and they get black oil sunflower seeds.

 

[featherhead007]

Sometime this fall I noticed I wasn't needing to feed my chickens.... I would go in and their pellets weren't being eaten, days on end. They were following me around (they free range) so I knew they were hungry- I made a mash of their pellets (added water) for a few days...and some liked this, but many did not, and I dumped much of the mash out..
Then I bought "textured layer ration". They loved this and went nuts- but they leave the pellet part that is part of this "textured layer ration". I have played hardball and don't feed them until they eat the pellets-- but I need to wait several days and I worry that they are hungry.

What should I do? Am I just being a pushover?

I need to buy feed again soon- and winter is coming.. HELP!

None of my birds ever wanted pellets. Only the rabbit will eat his pellets

 

[human1]

yes, they love bugs, and eat lots of grass, berries etc.. I limit how much food scraps I give them, and they get black oil sunflower seeds.

do you think that was enough to make them full? are they still hungry after eating free-range stuff? i really don't know how to get them to eat pellets or anything like that

 

[featherhead007]

do you think that was enough to make them full? are they still hungry after eating free-range stuff? i really don't know how to get them to eat pellets or anything like that

Do you have a blender? Make your own crumble from pellets?

 

[human1]

Do you have a blender? Make your own crumble from pellets?

maybe they will like pellet-juice

 

[Vickischics]

What brand are you using?
What is the run date on the bag?
Is it possible it is a little moldy?
Perhaps they would like crumbles better.
Mine will not eat Dumors feed of any sort. But, the gobble up Purina.

 

[GC-Raptor]

You can make crumbles in a blender 1 cup at a time using pulse.

I make chick crumbles smaller the first couple of weeks. GC

 

[Vickischics]

You can make crumbles in a blender 1 cup at a time using pulse. View attachment 2413525
I make chick crumbles smaller the first couple of weeks. GC

Thats a great idea instead of wasting the pellets.