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[captaincollins]

Hi, my girls 5 of them (should lay in about2/3 weeks) they do seem to eat loads of pellets, is that right?

[sjp]

my 5 get through about 4kg of pelletts in 7 days I only know that becauce they were wormed the week before last all 5 are laying

any more than that they either need worming or you might need to change feed brands

[Falkor]

How much?

 

As they come into lay they do increase the amount they eat.

 

Omlet guide says a chook will eat about 120g per day.

 

Perhaps weigh what you put out and then see how long it takes for them to eat it?

[Egluntyne]

Are you certain that you haven't got a rat helping itself?

[chickencam]

They do eat a lot more when they are laying, so maybe an egg or two are on the way.

 

On a more serious note, do you take their food in at night? It may be worth checking to see if there is any evidence of rodent activity.

[captaincollins]

Ok perhaps its not too much then, I fill the super grub feeder up from omlet right to the start of the hole and they would empty that in 2 days, so I guess Chickens just eat more then I thought LOL

 

my greedy girls, have started to eat more so perhaps an egg is on its way soon!

 

Pretty sure there are no rodents about

 

I also wanted to ask, the girt seems to be going down really quicky, 5KG gone in a month, is that right?

 

Sorry for all the questions

 

Sharon

[Cooks]

mine get through lots of grit too, they only take it when they need it

[Luvachicken]

I know this sounds silly but how do you give them the grit ? I bought a metal dish thing that hangs on the side of the run but it just fills up with rain. I do put grit in the homemade peck block and that seems to go down well, otherwise they just get what they find in the dirt.

[captaincollins]

OK thanks, better order a bigger bag, cheapest I have found is 25KG for £12.50

 

Sharon

[captaincollins]

I just pour a breakfast bowl from the cupboard full and put it under the cube so it doesnt get wet

[whoopsie]

Mine seen to be eating loads more AFTER worming!!!

[Plum]

Do you think they are digging the grit. Mine would do that.

 

I used a flower pot tied onto the side of the run with stones to stop it falling through. It seems an enormous amount to get through. I thought mine were using a lot taking a handful a week

[captaincollins]

prob are, the bowl often gets pushed over but iyou cant see it on the floor, but could be dug in, I shall have to change my system when the enew WIR arrives and tie it up.

[Foot-tapper506]

Mine dont seem to eat many pellets at all - thinking of changing brand, or going organic. They always eat all their treats though They love grapes, sweetcorn, mealworms, rice and pasta. I dont buy grit, I bake the girls eggshells in the oven for 15 mins and grind up in the pestle and mortar. I usually give them half a dozen shells a week.

[Falkor]

OK thanks, better order a bigger bag, cheapest I have found is 25KG for £12.50

 

Sharon

 

That seems a lot - i can get 25kg of Hen grit for about £7 locally and i think oyster shell is about the same as i recall.