Old Speckled Hen Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 After nearly two years of making a wet layers mash with extra bits in I have decided to put my spoilt ladies back on to layers pellets ...........Cruel mother. The reason is I am getting another three (well two and a cockerel) and all that mash will drive me and any chook sitters I have nuts. Of course, for the second day they have hardly touched it. They free range all day. How long before I give in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellykelly Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 I'm pretty sure that no animal will ever truly starve itself. It's a battle of wills. They want to see if you'll give in! Stay strong, they'll eat eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krysia Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 they are hoping that the rod you have made for yourself will kick in soon! Are you getting eggs? These would stop 1st. You'd be suprised just how much they get free ranging. stay strong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennydavies Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 You have to be a "Wicked Chicken Mummy" !!!! Ahhh bless. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Don't worry Danni, they won't starve - they'll soon be at that layers feed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Agree with what's been said before - they won't starve themselves and they get an awful lot free ranging - The odd frog or mouse must be close to a daily requirement for a chuck It's tough though - but you're tougher than that - I can tell Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted August 4, 2010 Author Share Posted August 4, 2010 Thanks everybody. I'm not even going out with the grapes. It's that starving look I can't bear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 My dog does that one too! I do something not dissimilar with my girls; they often rake their feed out from the feeder and leave it on the run floor amongst the Aubiose; I just take the feeder out of the run until they have hoovered up the mess that they made on the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 My dog does that one too! I do something not dissimilar with my girls; they often rake their feed out from the feeder and leave it on the run floor amongst the Aubiose; I just take the feeder out of the run until they have hoovered up the mess that they made on the floor. Don't mess with Claret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 They definately won't starve. However, it might be an idea to mix some dry mash in with the pellets, as they may get the idea of pellets= food earlier that way- assuming you ahve some mash left. It's prob'l'y totally unecessary, but it might make you feel better, you terrible cruel chicken mummy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 As has been said they will not starve themselves! They store food in their crop and can top this up as they go, they may prefer to do more scratching and free ranging but eventually when they are hungry enough, they will succumb. We have had a hen that disappeared for about 6 months in the past and then it chose to come back with some baby chicks! It must have made itself a little nest somewhere and lived entirely off free ranging... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Goodness Where were you living that she managed to mind herself a cockeral? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Goodness Where were you living that she managed to mind herself a cockeral? Me or the OP? We keep cockerels as we live in the country on a small holding - our adult cockerels have now gone to the table though, but very tasty they were to. We are pretty sure that we have some cockerel chicks from some of this years hatches (they appear to be silver and partridge laced wyandottes) as they have been crowing for a while and are chasing the ladies! Plus the neighbouring farms also keep cockerels, so who knows which one she took a liking to... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Goodness Where were you living that she managed to mind herself a cockeral? Me or the OP? We keep cockerels as we live in the country on a small holding - our adult cockerels have now gone to the table though, but very tasty they were to. We are pretty sure that we have some cockerel chicks from some of this years hatches (they appear to be silver and partridge laced wyandottes) as they have been crowing for a while and are chasing the ladies! Plus the neighbouring farms also keep cockerels, so who knows which one she took a liking to... Sorry, I meant you You can always post some photos of your chicks. We are rather good at sexing them, how old are they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Sorry, I meant you You can always post some photos of your chicks. We are rather good at sexing them, how old are they? No probs, I've posted some pics up in the chickens section as Claret asked me to put some up on another thread, here they are: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=67682 Someone has very kindly identified one of the hens as an Amber Star, which is fab because we didn't know what she was. The pics I have on my computer are getting old, so I will get snapping so you can see all the new hatches and hens... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
