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

[Samuel Morse]

My two girls get mixed corn in the evening but they are constantly sniffing, and sometimes pecking, at the back door for more. But they seem to be leaving the grain, which is the bulk of the mix. Is this normal? I don't want them to go hungry. They've not started laying yet.

[jomaxsmith]

Hi there,

 

mixed corn should be a treat food so give it sparingly - a small handful a couple of times a week. Their main food should be mash or pellets, especially if they are not yet laying they need the nutrients in the proper chicken food. Corn is like sweets to chickens so they will beg for more!

 

Jo

[Samuel Morse]

Hey Jo,

 

We were told to give them layer pellets in the morning and then to give them the mixed corn in the evening. They also will beg for food while there are pellets still in their bowl. Should I give them more pellets in the evening, too?

 

S

[jomaxsmith]

My hens have access all day to their main food (mine have mash) with occasional treats.

 

If they are not yet laying at 27 weeks their diet could be a contributing factor Corn is fattening but doesn't contain all the nutrients they need to grow and lay well.

 

They will _always_ beg for treat foods over their proper diet, who wouldn't

 

Jo

[Samuel Morse]

They are pure breed Light Sussex and I have read that they tend to lay a lot later than hybrids so I'm hoping diet isn't a factor in them not laying yet. Estimates I found tend to start from 27 weeks, and, if I am remember correctly, they are nearing that age.

 

They might just associate me as the man that gives them treats so are on the scrounge. I'll rein in the corn a bit and maybe source some mash.

 

thanks

 

S

[Hen Watch]

Hi Samuel, I view corn as giving sweets to the chooks. My lot always want corn but I give a teeny amount, only half an eggcup full for 4 hens thrown in their run to get them back inside.

 

I keep the pellets full to the brim all day for them. Another good treat for them is to mix pellets with loads of warm water to form a sludge. My lot devour it which is quite funny since it's only pellets after all...... but don't give it too often as I found to my cost last year when they stopped eating pellets all together and would only eat them with water.