4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[JM]

This is most likely a bit of a daft question, but here goes...

 

I've got layers pellets in the grub within the run. However, although they peck at them, the quantity within the grub doesn't seem to go down much! The grub has never been empty - the initial fill lasted for ages with a bit of a top up in the first week (mainly to make sure they could reach it inside the grub) - and I changed it totally on Saturday (afraid to say I threw the old stuff away in case it was stale).

 

They are in their run for the morning, then are let out into an area surrounded by Omlet netting.

 

We've had them now for about 2 weeks. One (Daphne) is laying (produced a perfect smallish egg every day for 8 days) and the others (Bunty and Winnie) are coming up to laying (W very close, B a few weeks behind the others).

 

They all go mad for corn, mealworms and goose grass (frantic even). We only give them the corn and mealworms in small quantities in the afternoon - and they do a lot of scratching about wherever they are!

 

They are doing chickeny things, and look very contented and healthy, so they are obviously doing OK, but should I worry that they don't seem to be eating too many pellets?

 

Thanks (and sorry for the long post)

 

J

[Egluntyne]

Try not to over do it with the treats, they will spoil their appetite for the pellets.

 

Once they are all into the swing of laying, you will notice a huge increase in their appetites and the pellets will vanish.

 

For the time being, why not just half fill the grubs and replenish as necessary, so that you aren't having to throw stale food away.

[JM]

Thanks Egluntine

 

We do limit the treats (we've also got a greedy labrador so it's a never ending battle!!) - they get a small amount in the afternoon.

 

Daphne is very keen on anything (she's the one laying) - but I very rarely see her eating the pellets! (Maybe they only do it when we aren't there?!)

 

I do put some garlic powder in with the pellets - could that be putting them off?

 

J

[Egluntyne]

It could. Others have mentioned it.

 

Mine are so greedy that it doesn't bother them.

 

Why not leave it out for a short while and see if it makes a difference.

[moomin]

J, when I tried Bokashi bran in my chook's pellets they would touch them, so I had to chuck them away. So maybe it is the Garlic powder that's putting them off, I would try it without for a few days.

 

If you are worried that they are not eating anough you could make them a 'pellet porridge', I do this for mine every afternoon.

 

Put some pellets in a plastic dish, pour on hot (but not boiling) water from the kettle, leave for 5 mins to absorb. You will then need to keep adding hot water to soften them to a porridgy consistency, let it cool and then serve

 

If you chuck a few treats on top - meal worms or a bit of sweet corn they will love it even more.

 

Try it and see

[JM]

Thanks - I'll try those ideas!

[Keanie Bean]

I've got one chicken who will only eat when you are not looking, but I know she does as I've watched her from an upstairs window. Sneeky chickens .

 

As Egluntine says they will eat more when they start to lay.

 

 

Sarah.x