Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Shelley]

I've got four warrens, and they just don't seem to be eating their pellets. So now it;s the chicken and egg debate. Are they not eating their pellets because I'm giving them 'extras' or do they need the extras because they dislike the pellets? Can you crush the pellets or mash them up? Anyone else had the same problem? They just seem perpetually hungry and a little bit stressed. They're so desperate to get out of the run to have a mooch around I can barely get the door open in the morning. Who'd have 'em!!!

[Olly]

I've never known a hen deliberately starve itself - I would cut back on treats, and my guess is they will eat the pellets! Are they free-ranging a lot, and so picking up food there rather than eating them? I keep mine in the run until the afternoon, so that they lay in the Eglu and they fill up on pellets first.

 

As long as they are drinking, eating treats when you give them, and generally active I wouldn't worry too much, they will eat if they are hungry.

[Madchook]

Leave them in and give them NOTHING else to eat but pellets. It might take 48hrs and they will complain, but they will get the message. I have had hens go on strike when I got a different brand of pellets, but if you gove them an option then you will never win. But if they are free ranging then they will be eating plenty, it is just not what you want them to fill up on.

[Egluntyne]

Similar thread running **here**