2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[Green Tara]

Hi

My 3 Pekins are really fussy eaters and will absolutely not eat pellets. I got them a few months ago and so far the only things they like are corn , rice and porridge oats. Will they be OK without the pellets? I have tried witholding treats and just giving pellets but to no avail. One of them actually screeches and throws the pellets all over the place as though she is angry! They free range all day, lay well and seem otherwise happy but Im not sure what to do?

[ISCA]

I am no expert but I do not think corn, rice and oats will provide a fully balanced diet. The fact they FR will help as they will get protein and other nutrients from bugs and worms.

 

Corn is nutritionally of little value despite them loving it. It should not constitute more than 10-15% of the diet I read.

 

Have you thought of trying layers mash if they really will not eat pellets?

 

Being animals they will not starve themselves to death and would eventually eat pellets if that is all you offered them. Tough love may be needed here I think!

[Redwing]

I agree with ISCA try layers mash, they should eat that no problems

[Green Tara]

Thanks. Layers mash it is then! I will have to order online and pay delivery as there doesn't seem to be anyone local selling chicken feed. I just hope they appreciate it - fussy little beggars! If not then you may be right about the tough love

[MummyHen]

Mine wouldn't eat pellets - so I feed them a mix of Garvo mash and Wiggly Wigglers mash. They FR for latest 8-10 hours each day at the moment but they always have a bowl of mash and bowl of water available on the lawn (well it that's what you call it with treats about 1-2hours before bedtime.

 

Rachel

[Foot-tapper506]

two of my hens seem to prefer pellets but the smaller, slightly younger, two like the mash. I now mix them together and they all seem happy. I also make a 'porridge' of the mix sometimes using warm water and they all seem to enjoy that and tuck in.

[Cranfield Kate]

I'm with ISCA on the tough love front. Mine really don't think much of pellets but at worming time that's all i give them so they have to like it or lump it. after a couple of days of absolutely heart rending coos of disappointment when all they get is pellets, they just get on with it and polish off the lot.

 

but those disappointed clucks are tough to take i must say...

[migsy]

Tough love. Kids and animals will not starve themselve to death but they will hold out for something nice.

[Egluntyne]

I'm also an adherent of the tough love system. They won't starve. They might sulk for a few days, but it is better for them to be eating something more nutritious. The corn oats and rice diet is a bit lacking in the essential, especially calcium.