Debbielou Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 I bought 3 chickens 4 weeks ago - now named Primrose, Violet and Bluebelle. Two of them are now laying. I bought layers pellets supplied by the farmer at the time of purchase. They didn't appear to be eating them at all, so we bought some organic layers pellets - the same thing, they wouldn't look at them. We then bought some of Omelette's chicken feed and initially they couldn't get enought of it - however the novelty soon wore off and we're now back to square one. On feeling their crops at different times of the day they are always empty. Violet and Bluebelle have been laying for about 2 weeks now and we are getting lots of soft eggs - principally from Bluebelle (we think). I've just ordered some Shell Max to put in the water to boost their calcium supply but I'm very worried about the fact they don't seem to eat. I'm not giving them any treats at present except for blueberries which they love. Any advice will be more than welcome! Thanks in anticipation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 (edited) Are they free ranging? If so I would keep them in until they have eaten a decent amount of feed. Edited August 8, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Chickens don't tend to eat very much until they start laying. I filled the grub up on day 1 and it was practically full 5 days later. Once they all started laying, I was filling the grub up every 2 days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 a chicken should eat 120grams of pellets a day 3 chicken =360gram try putting just this amount in the feeder mix a slug of cod liver oil in it help with the calcium conversion some poultry spice if you've got it wont hurt why I suggest the amount is I had the same with mine when i first had them I thought they weren't eating the right amount i filled the feeder right up did the above chickens thought food was in short supply eat the lot that day next day i added an extra scoop still do always a bit left so I know they’ve ate enough it all so keeps the wastage down when i worm them i always fill the feeders feed gets flicked on the the floor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 A chicken will eat less than the 120g per day until it comes into lay. I would confine them to the run and give them nothing else but pellets for a few days and see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 + WIR Lavender Mabel Marjorie Mine wont eat pelletts I still buy them and put them in the grub, am even buying ex bats and they arent Spoilt brats now buy them (as well) Layers mash with Bokashi from the Wiggly Wigglers and they love it give it a try, well worth it to see happy girlies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbielou Posted August 10, 2009 Author Share Posted August 10, 2009 Thanks for all your advice. They're not free rangers and are confined to a pen at the moment although iits quite large and we have plans to extend their run shortly. It would appear that I've solved the feeding problem with Layers Mash - they seem to love it and have been tucking in now for 3 days and now going to bed with full crops - and guess what Primrose - the youngest layed her first egg this morning - so all three are now laying. Only thing is Bluebelle is laying sometimes two eggs per day and a lot of them are soft so I hope that this will correct itself in time. Still waiting for the liquid calcium to arrive. I shall definitely be incorporating some cod liver oil into their feed as suggested. Many thanks for all your help Debbielou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
