jimnpaula Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 (edited) My girls don't seem to know to eat any fruit or veg that I put in the run. They'll pull at leaves when free ranging but they're not getting much of that at this time of year. Maybe they don't like the 'swingball' feeder and I should put it in a dish... but even when I put greens on the ground they didn't eat them. Apple isn't being sniffed at either. They'll happily eat anything dried (pellets/crumbs/garlic/spice/bokashi/diatom/corn) and I realize that's what they're used to - so how do you train them without spending a fortune on wasted food? Do they actually need fruit & veg or is it just a nice thing in addition to their food? P Edited October 28, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 They don't need fruit and veg but it is a good addition to their diet. If they like bokashi another thing you could try is a veg peeling mash. I make this for my girls and they LOVE it. Basically, I put veg peelings (not potatoes) in my food processor and blitz it with some bokashi bran. I then put it in their treat bowls and they go crazy for it. Tonight they will be getting carrot, broccoli and swede with their bokashi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 They don't need fruit and veg but it is a good addition to their diet. If they like bokashi another thing you could try is a veg peeling mash. I make this for my girls and they LOVE it. Basically, I put veg peelings (not potatoes) in my food processor and blitz it with some bokashi bran. I then put it in their treat bowls and they go crazy for it. Tonight they will be getting carrot, broccoli and swede with their bokashi Ummmmmmmmm sounds lovely Debs. What chicken would turn their nose up at that. Lucky girls. PS could you get your DH to put us some sound on the web cam, it would be great to hear their little noises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 I would jst go for the old 'trial and error' method. Your right, dry food is what they are used to. Maybe you could add water to a small dish of what they are used to then they will see that wet food isnt so bad Mine love Cos lettuce and its usually on offer in sainsburies towards the end of the week xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 They don't need fruit and veg but it is a good addition to their diet. If they like bokashi another thing you could try is a veg peeling mash. I make this for my girls and they LOVE it. Basically, I put veg peelings (not potatoes) in my food processor and blitz it with some bokashi bran. I then put it in their treat bowls and they go crazy for it. Tonight they will be getting carrot, broccoli and swede with their bokashi Ummmmmmmmm sounds lovely Debs. What chicken would turn their nose up at that. Lucky girls. PS could you get your DH to put us some sound on the web cam, it would be great to hear their little noises. Sorry Paula, lost the plot a bit there. You could try throwing a few black grapes into their run, they usually go crazy for grapes, but let them find them themselves, hens love to forrage for food as I'm sure you know. Any eggs yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted October 28, 2009 Author Share Posted October 28, 2009 Sorry Paula, lost the plot a bit there. You could try throwing a few black grapes into their run, they usually go crazy for grapes, but let them find them themselves, hens love to forrage for food as I'm sure you know. Any eggs yet You've just reminded me that I have offered them grapes, and they didn't eat those either. I expect the wild birds got those when the run was moved. As for eggs, yesterday we had one that was laid on the bars and was broken, today I let them out and was watching them in the run... then suddenly there was an egg in the run too but I didn't see who laid it. They're all coming out of moult and plenty of red faces again so hopefully there will be more eggs on the way. Good idea on pureed/blitzed veg, I'll see what they make of that. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippy bird Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 I have had mine for almost three weeks now,and I think it just takes them a little time to get used to the different flavours. I currently have a pumpkin in their run which they are tucking into with gusto! They seem to like apple as well, although at first they had no idea what to do with it.They didn't even like meal worms at first,but now they love them. Just try little bits of different flavours and textures,they don't take long to get used to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 With my exbatts I had to hold any strange food for them to realise it was edible as they are just so used to mash and nothing else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 Sorry Paula, lost the plot a bit there. You could try throwing a few black grapes into their run, they usually go crazy for grapes, but let them find them themselves, hens love to forrage for food as I'm sure you know. Any eggs yet You've just reminded me that I have offered them grapes, and they didn't eat those either. I expect the wild birds got those when the run was moved. As for eggs, yesterday we had one that was laid on the bars and was broken, today I let them out and was watching them in the run... then suddenly there was an egg in the run too but I didn't see who laid it. They're all coming out of moult and plenty of red faces again so hopefully there will be more eggs on the way. Good idea on pureed/blitzed veg, I'll see what they make of that. P That is good news Paula. Egg for tea then. Shows they are benefiting from all your loving care and attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 With my first lot (the big girls), I had the same issue and got around it by giving them the cabbage leaves etc myself. They soon associated me with food and then just took whatever I had, whether they knew what it was or not. Of course it then goes the other way and they mug you for whatever you have, whether it's mean to be for them or not Cabbages are now in string bags for them to peck at and this seems to work well. Grapes etc are still fed by hand. With the little girls there was none of this - they saw the big girls eating and instantly went to try it Keep trying, they do catch on eventually! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 we've had 6 ex batts so far; a group of 4 then a grp of 2 and it just takes them a little while to realise that other things taste nice. They WILL eventually start gobbling up the treats. Lettuce, corn on the cob & sweetcorn, raisins, grapes, plums and tomatoes are all firm favourites with our lot. You just need to give them time to adjust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 With my exbatts I had to hold any strange food for them to realise it was edible as they are just so used to mash and nothing else. me too, they still prefer me to hold esp if they are feeling a bit off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted October 29, 2009 Author Share Posted October 29, 2009 Well I tried dicing the apple pieces that I'd sliced yesterday. It had all gone by afternoon - so I think that may be the problem - big bits confuse them: "It can't possibly be food" This afternoon's offering of a torn up slice of bread may be too big as well as they'd dropped it on the ground but not eaten it. Will blitz that tomorrow and see if they want it. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I put some spinach leaves through the bars (so they could see me doing it) and they've eaten it! Definitely trial and error! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 As Dancing Cloud said once they see healthy girls doing something, they all want a go.whether it be dustbathing or eating grapes They'll get there, Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brambles Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 Just popping in to ask if they're fruit bats yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Kate Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 I've had my ex bats three weeks and only yesterday did they eat chopped up veg. I had one on my lap and fed her from a bowl and then the other one spotted it and wanted some and then the last one came along. it only takes one! it was very satisfting when she ate grapes from my hand. it's the little things... Atilla the Hen - exbat Bertha - exbat Peeper - exbat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted November 1, 2009 Author Share Posted November 1, 2009 Just popping in to ask if they're fruit bats yet? I'm afraid they're getting a bit sidelined at the moment - I'm on nights and James has caught one of the nasty bugs that's going around. This means that they are not getting much more beyond being let out/put to bed, being fed and the egg collected at the moment. I feel ropey too Maybe I'll call in sick. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Hope your feeling better Paula. Glad to see the hens are laying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted November 3, 2009 Author Share Posted November 3, 2009 I am feeling better - thank you Shirl, and yes the girls have started to lay again although we're only averaging 1.2 eggs per day over the last week! P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beulah59 Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Mine really aren't interested in greens unless they're cooked ... but cauliflower is the fav! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
