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

[shtw00724]

Had my ex-bats for almost 3 weeks now and on the whole they seem to be doing well.

 

They love the crumb and to a degree will eat the layers mash I give them early evening mixed up with a bit of mixed corn (they aren't that keen on the corn).

 

I bought them a bag of layers pellets but they don't seem keen at all. I also tried them with marmite on some bread (which I ripped into small pieces) but they didn't eat any of it (and I can't stand marmite!)

 

I'm new to all this and want to make sure the girls are getting all the goodness they need. I have some chicken spice arriving today along with more crumbs etc.

 

What should I be feeding them? Any tips on getting them to eat the pellets or is it a case of if they won't eat them now they never will?

 

Thanks.

 

Susie

[stoice]

If you want to give them pellets instead of crumb then keep going with the crumb and gradually add some pellets to it. Increasing the ratio of pellets to crumb. If they are hungry they'll eat! They get very good at training us to pander to their every whim don't they? At first my ex-batts only liked pellets (I was giving them pellets and mash together from the beginning and they picked out the pellets) But now all of a sudden - almost a year down the line - mash is THE thing to eat and the pellets are being ignored!

Also, having not really encountered treats before, they didn't really try much else. They nibbled at cabbage if i held it for them as they hadn't worked out the 'stand on large pieces and tear' technique. Wouldn't touch corn, bread or sweetcorn! COMPLETE u turn now though! Basically anything in my hand is desirable (Including the rings on my fingers!)

 

Persevere, they'll soon change their eating habits.

 

S xxx

[alih]

I used to mix my mash with increasing amounts of the pellets till they got used to them. They will do in time

[ted]

I have seen quite a lot about this stuff which is especially for ex bats. I think quite a few on the forum use it...

 

http://www.smallholderfeed.co.uk/Products/ExBattery/Ex-Battery-Hens.aspx

 

cheers

[quickcluck]

there is a whole thread about it!!!

[Chook n Boo Mum]

I mixed pellets in with the mash & they were happy enough with that, I put a cage cup of corn on the side of the run & they quickly discovered and devoured that! As they arrived in the very cold weather, I also gave them a bowl of warm mash porridge, the same as the other girls all got, delivered regularly in small quantities during the day. Once they realised it wasn't just to warm their feet in (!) they ate that like it was going out of fashion with dry mash & pellets mixed in a flat bowl and pellets in a grub also on offer.

 

It wasn't until they got together with my healthy girls that they got to grips with the whole concept of treats, even now they haven't totally got the idea that everything I give them is good to eat, they are getting better though.

 

I've come to the conclusion that they are very like children in their likes & dislikes....and they can & will change their minds on a whim. Just because they'll take your hand off for something today, doesn't mean that tomorrow they won't turn their little beaks up at it!!

 

Sha x