Eyren Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I'll have to try the beansprouts - we rarely get through a whole bag before they start to spoil, so it would be much better to give them to the chooks before that happens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waders Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I'm glad I read this thread as I've been a bit worried about what my girls are eating or more to the point - not eating They are like kiwichicks girls, they are barely touching their pellets and when I let them out (about 3.30) I give them some mixed corn but they're not touching that much either. As soon as they see me they rush up to me and follow me waiting for treats. I give them some weetabix mixed with a few raisins and mealworms and crushed eggshells as a treat and to get them back into the run. OH reckons that I should leave them in the run all day so that they have to eat the pellets but I can't do that. I haven't been too worried as they have been laying and seem fit and healthy but today I had my first soft shelled egg. I have tried other things (greens, sweetcorn etc) but they are not interested though having read what Laura & CTB said about trying them more than once on something new I will try again. They have a really good scratch around and yesterday Pearl had a frog Does anyone think I should change to mash instead of pellets? I have tried giving them the pellets mashed up but they are not really interested in it. I read somewhere that chickens don't overeat! This thread has given me a lot of food for thought though (excuse the pun!), lots of ideas. But I still need to get them to eat their pellets don't I? Anyone got any good ideas? I'm sorry Lone Ranger for hijacking your thread. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 (edited) I think your OH could be right. Leave them in for a couple of days and they will tank up on the nutritious stuff. You can stir Limestone Flour into their feed to get more calcium into them. Edited February 28, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Does anyone think I should change to mash instead of pellets? Lisa You could try a small bag and give it a go -personally I think they'll adore it bear in mind it's a lot messier than pellets - they tend to scoop it out of the feeder as they eat. Use a tray ( one of those plastic cat litter trays will do) under the feeder to catch the worst of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waders Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Thanks for your advice Laura & CTB & Egluntine. I will try the mash (with a tray!), do they give instructions on the bag as to what quantities to mix? The girls are in their run from when they wake up in the morning until 3.30, I feel sorry for them when I get home! They do the lion walk up and down the side of the run - I know from reading other threads that they are good at the guilt trip and I always was a big softie! I will endeavour to be strong and not look at them when I go near!! Thanks again for the advice. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 My original Omlet girls were raised on pellets but the new girls on mash. They all eat mash now and snack all day long I would recommend mash although it is messier. My girls adore it. It takes them much longer to eat and fill up and therefore alleviates boredom too. The cat litter tray under the grub is a top tip In the evenings before bed time, i mix a scoop of mash with warm water until it is very thick 'porridge'. A handful of tinned sweetcorn (no salt/sugar ) and some chopped courgette. Goes down a treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 In the evenings before bed time, i mix a scoop of mash with warm water until it is very thick 'porridge'. A handful of tinned sweetcorn (no salt/sugar ) and some chopped courgette. Goes down a treat. I expect the chooks would like that too Christian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 We give our chickens mash because thats what they came with. We have started giving them the mash mixed with warm water in the evening and they seem to love it-can we give it in the morning as well becuase i wouldnt class it as a treat and they seem to prefer it mixed with water rather than it being dry? Emma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catsareus Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Hi Lisa, My 2 new girls also don't seem to eat many pellets and so I've been resorting to 'hide the pellets among tastier treats' programme. (Remember doing something like this nearly 20 years ago for little people, hiding vegetables not pellets!) Anyway I've made them a porridge with the pellets and added a few tasty morsels and yes, all the tasty morsels are eaten and maybe a few of the pellets. Porridge made with oats and water, with pellets mixed in goes down well and I do find if left in the run, they do actually get round to eating most of it. Why do I feel so relieved when they eat their pellets? But I think I'm learning that the chickens are exactly like children and just love to get their own way and you have to be firm!! (2 chickens that ate alot of grapes this evening. Well Galinda kept getting them, so I just had to keep giving more so Elphaba could actually get some.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 In the evenings before bed time, i mix a scoop of mash with warm water until it is very thick 'porridge'. A handful of tinned sweetcorn (no salt/sugar ) and some chopped courgette. Goes down a treat. I expect the chooks would like that too Christian They only get some if they have been good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
