FunkyChook Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Hi I'm new to chicken keeping. Got an eglu a few weeks a go and just got 3 girls who are 17 weeks old. I have bought layers pellets and layers mash, neither of which they seem to eat much of. I have now started giving them some corn and they are eating this, but it seems to be all they are eating. As they are not laying yeet is this a problem? Also how can I get them to eat the pellets or mash, as obciously they need to start eating this at some point? TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Hello, and welcome to the Forum! Don't feed too much corn, as it will make them fat and then they won't lay. Keep on with the pellets or mash - they may not seem to eat much, but they won't starve themselves. In a few weeks time they will suddenly start eating like mad, and then you'll know they are ready to lay! I don't think there has ever been an instance of a chicken deliberately refusing to eat. I would cut out the corn altogether for a few days, and then keep it just as a handful for a treat at the end of the day, so they have filled up on pellets or mash. If they're young and not laying, they won't eat a lot but I don't think there's ever been an instance of a chicken starving because it didn't like the choice of food - when they're hungry they will eat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 My girls ate very little until they came into lay. Stick with the layers, cut out the corn and wait for them to start laying Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunkyChook Posted August 2, 2009 Author Share Posted August 2, 2009 Thank you so much for your help. I think I'm just a bit nervous being new to this. Andi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 You will find that their appetites will increase massively as they come into lay. The others are right about cutting out the corn. it will just make them fat and will slow down their laying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-F-C Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 What's the difference between Grower's Pellets and normal Pellets? And should Pullets be fed the Grower's until they start laying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bexbex Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 I was wondering this too. My girls don't seem to touch the pellets. I know when I open the up in a morning they run straight to the grub and eat but it never seems to go down. They all laying and have corn in the afternoon so seem happy enough but when you pick wendy up yuo can feel her breastbone... is that normal? They free range in the afternoon and get plenty of greens and garden goodies (what they find). Becki x (ps.. I know it's 3.30am and I should be in bed but I'm at work (boo!) and on my break so thought I'd check the forums out lol) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 There is a difference in protein and calcium content primarily. Growers has more protein than layers. Layers has more calcium than growers. When the pullet reaches Point of Lay, her requirements change, and she needs more calcium, for shell formation, and less protein as she is not growing at the same rate. It isn't a good idea to give layers pellets before around 16-18 weeks, as too much calcium at this stage is bad for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-F-C Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 There is a difference in protein and calcium content primarily.It isn't a good idea to give layers pellets before around 16-18 weeks, as too much calcium at this stage is bad for them. Oops! For the past week I have been mixing up a nice smörgåsbord of pellets, spice, garlic, limestone flour and mixed grit for MiMi, my 16wk old Lavender Araucana, who is still eating from a cat bowl inside the cube as she is not yet brave (or tall) enough to share the grub with the older girls! I have ordered her some grower's pellets and will cut out of the calcium enriched extras! MiMi did eat from the grub yesterday because I lowered it whilst the others are out free ranging... she uses 'free ranging time' as her opportunity to explore the run floor... as she hardly ever comes down from the cube ladder when the others are in the run! She does pop outside into the big wide world occasionally... but prefers the safety of having the cube nearby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoanneFrizzle Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Hi, Mine are 13 weeks old and have growers pellets and I've added a sprinkling of grit (labelled calcium carbonate). I hope this is right. I've been told that once on layer pellets(farmgate) that the grit is already in the pellet. Is this right? Any advice apprciated. Joanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 I'd give them just plain flint grit at this stage tbh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 The nice people at Wernlas suggested feeding the pure breeds on growers pellets until they're 20 weeks, as they mature slower and you don't want to hasten egg laying unnaturally. I guess the hybrids are faster maturing so you can switch to the layers pellets earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunkyChook Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 After reading about mash porridge on here I thought I would try my girls with that. Boy did they love it. The three of them polished off a bowlful of it in minutes. Atl east I know they are eating now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simone Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 After reading about mash porridge on here I thought I would try my girls with that. Boy did they love it. The three of them polished off a bowlful of it in minutes. Atl east I know they are eating now. have read they like it, how did you do yours, will have to see if mine like it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunkyChook Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 I just made it purely water and mash. Didn't have much other stuff in the house. Will start putting veg etc. in when I'm more organised Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
