3hens2cats Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Hello there, Right we are now into our 3rd week of having chickens - yay. As posted before they seemto be settling in well. All apart from their dietary requests! They are refusing point blank to eat the pellets , yep when we open the door to let them out they charge out like caged animals (oops and so they should) but they bypass the feeding bowls and show no interest BUT (and there is always one isn't there), I thought in my infinite chicken knowlege (which is very finite) I would try layers mash and OMG ! OMG they ate the bloody lot, no stopping for breath. So now I am giving them layers mash instead of the pellets. Giving them no more that 120g a day spilit between two feeds, with a mixed corn added in the evenings. Is this right? They also like to free range, with them all standing at the doors waiting to be let out. Am I making life hard for myself? Should I be keeping them in the run for a few hours to establish a routine? At the momment the run is an ornamental food and water hanger with them givingit a WIDE birth. Told you I was stupid, they just seem so happy roaming round the garden and chasing the clothes hanging of the rotary airer thanks again Naomi chicken novice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 They'll be fine, they were obviously fed mash befiore you got them and are used to that. If you want to bypass the mess, then gradually mix pellets into the mash until they get used to them. Just make sure to only give treats late in the afternoon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidygirlsuk Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Hello there, Right we are now into our 3rd week of having chickens - yay. As posted before they seemto be settling in well. All apart from their dietary requests! They are refusing point blank to eat the pellets , yep when we open the door to let them out they charge out like caged animals (oops and so they should) but they bypass the feeding bowls and show no interest BUT (and there is always one isn't there), I thought in my infinite chicken knowlege (which is very finite) I would try layers mash and OMG ! OMG they ate the bloody lot, no stopping for breath. So now I am giving them layers mash instead of the pellets. Giving them no more that 120g a day spilit between two feeds, with a mixed corn added in the evenings. Is this right? They also like to free range, with them all standing at the doors waiting to be let out. Am I making life hard for myself? Should I be keeping them in the run for a few hours to establish a routine? At the momment the run is an ornamental food and water hanger with them givingit a WIDE birth. Told you I was stupid, they just seem so happy roaming round the garden and chasing the clothes hanging of the rotary airer thanks again Naomi chicken novice I'm quite new to this to so i don't want to give you bad advise. but how funny, what little rouges you have. i'm sure someone will be along to help soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 It isn't really advisable to limit them to no more than 120g per day in 2 servings. Their basic rations should be available all day everyday. That way they can get the optimum nutrition for their age, size and whether they are in lay or not. 120g might not be enough for ome of the heftier older girls, who might leave the younger daintier girls without. As has been advised, treats are best limited to the afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Mine eat moistened mash and I'm OK with that but it would be easier if they ate pellets, especially when we go away and SIL pops over to feed them. I have ordered some Allen and Page Battery Chicken food as it comes in a crumb so will try that. I did post in another thread that I thought this food may be more gimick than anything else but there have been so many rave reviews I may be posting a public apology to Buffie. Watch this space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Ours were the same - they just prefer the mash... I still have their original bag of pellets - I couldn't even fool them into eating it as porridge It is now well past it's date and I must throw it out (except it is at the back of a shed, that has been filled with rubbish... ) I know others don't like giving their chickens mash as can be messy, but we don't have that big a problem at all, and they eat it and seem happy chickens. Don't mix in Bokashi Bran, otherwise they throw the mash out looking for the bran, but otherwise it is fine. Having said all this, it is probably "famous last words" and I will get home tonight to find mash everywhere!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Ours were the same - they just prefer the mash... I still have their original bag of pellets - I couldn't even fool them into eating it as porridge It is now well past it's date and I must throw it out (except it is at the back of a shed, that has been filled with rubbish... ) I know others don't like giving their chickens mash as can be messy, but we don't have that big a problem at all, and they eat it and seem happy chickens. Don't mix in Bokashi Bran, otherwise they throw the mash out looking for the bran, but otherwise it is fine. Having said all this, it is probably "famous last words" and I will get home tonight to find mash everywhere!! The wild birds love moistened pellets, so it won't be wasted. That's what I did with mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3hens2cats Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 Thanks for all your replies, Glad to know mine are not the only selective chucks. Egultine - thanks for that info re-feeding. I had been toying with leaving food out for them all day but was worried they would over feed themselves and blame me for their weight issues - lol ( you know what ladies are like)! I shall leave some food out for them tomorrow, they do love to forage and I caught them doing tug of war with a worm when I moved their house this afternoon. once again, regards Naomi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Naomi, just echoing what others have said really. I top up their grub feeders and just leave them to it all day long. They won't over eat. But it is useful to know what 120g looks like so you can ensure you don't leave too little in the grub feeder. I would chuck in a cupfull of pellets with the mash. OK they might pick out the mash and leave pellets behind, but may be in a few months they will get used to it. And if you've got a bag of pellets to use up and it's in date, then you've nothing to loose. Or use up the pellets by making "pellet porridge", basically just add warm water to make a sludge. But take care, they may get a liking for this and I had to wean my lot off pellet porridge onto normal pellets a little while ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
