Sarah B Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 (edited) Hi All, My girls are not laying yet and I know the appetites change and increase when they are laying but I've tried them with all the treats I've read on here and all they will eat treat wise is raw corn on the cob, mixed corn, live mealworms, dried mealworms, marmite on toast, pasta and a bit of Ready Brek! They won't so much as look at grapes, raisins, any green veg, tomatoes or canned corn. Oh they will peck at sunflower hearts but are not that fussed. Is this normal? Any ideas what else I could try that I might have missed as they have very expensive tastes!! Thanks. Edited March 24, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 My girls are not laying yet and I know the appetites change and increase when they are laying but I've tried them with all the treats I've read on here and all they will eat treat wise is raw corn on the cob, mixed corn, live mealworms, dried mealworms, marmite on toast and a bit of Ready Brek! Yes, everything will change when they start laying. Mine will literally eat anything in the veg line if I parcook it and mix it up in their porridge Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 They are all different. When they start laying though, their appetites and tastes do increase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane 20 Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Ours almost fight over bread - but it must be white! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 With the crusts cut off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane 20 Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 !No crusts are OK - as long as it's not stale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Mine are a bunch of gannetts and will eat almost anything, even the crusty end of the brown bread!. 5 out of 8 of them are not even laying yet! I think mine have got ambitions to be broilers! I'm wondering if there's a bit of peer pressure involved though as all chickens seem to want what another is eating and with each of them having to contend with 7 others....it must be like fast eaters coming from big families! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah B Posted March 24, 2008 Author Share Posted March 24, 2008 Re the people that give bread, I thought I read this was too fatty? I do give them a bit of toast and marmite now and again though! I've just read another post on giving them a bit of mash? Who does this and is it good for them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 I make a mash of the ends of the bread soaked in hot water with sultanas/raisins mixed in and either porridge or pasta or cooked peelings mixed in - served warm on a cold day. Mostly peelings cooked and porridge or mash of pellets and warm water to a porridge. ( they are not spoilt though!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Re the people that give bread, I thought I read this was too fatty? I do give them a bit of toast and marmite now and again though!I've just read another post on giving them a bit of mash? Who does this and is it good for them? Bread should be soaked before giving it to them Do you mean left over mashed potato? Oh yes, one of my chicken's fave treats. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 I've just read another post on giving them a bit of mash? Who does this and is it good for them? Have no idea if its good for them but they do love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah B Posted March 24, 2008 Author Share Posted March 24, 2008 Mmmm might try a bit of mash next then - wonder if they like 'Aunt Bessies' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Mine wouldn't eat many of the Forum Favourites until they were all laying and now they eat everything I offer. They used to sneer at greens but I had a brassica heavy veg box delivered this week and they've been feasting on organic pak choi and spring greens as if it was a fine delicacy! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Sarah, be careful feeding them instant mash. It's probably too salty for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...