lucyandlola Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Oh the problems I am having with my chickens. I only have 2 and changed from play bark in the run to Aubiose. They haven't ate any pellets since I changed and after sitting watching them for an 2 hours this morning I know why they have full crops already because they are eating the Aubiose. What shall I do? Is it going to harm them? I am quite worried about it. Thanks Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Hi, I've had a friend contact me with a similar problem and I am not 100% sure what my response will be yet but I am thinking either revert to a bedding that they dont eat so maybe woodchips in the run and wood shavings in the house or maybe try spraying the Aubiose with something that tastes horrible - anti peck spray would be too expensive perhaps but maybe essential oil and water sprayed on as a mist would help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henchanted Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Hi lucyandlola Don't panic ! I had exactly that fright with my first 4 who I could not free range for the first month.. I watched them eat aubiose, horrified but I kept a close eye for several days and soon I saw them eat less bedding and more pellets. At the time I thought that they might just be confused or maybe they were drawn to the aubiose because they needed something with fibre, like grass. So, I remember distracting them by giving them grass (only short bits- in fact I'd pull up handfuls and cut them into 1 inch llengths over the run so great sport for the hens and they where delighted. I also remember starting to hide small amounts of mealworms in with their pelletts so they began to pay more attention to their feeders, and I also started to sprinkle bokashi bran onto their feed which they love. None of mine had any ill effects from eating the aubiose- maybe they just need to experiment- mine still peck at the odd bit, they also love sand as well as anything they can get their beaks on - even my (obviously tasty looking) fingers So don't panic, try ways of enticing them back to their feeders, and distracting them from the aubiose with healthy alternatives, make sure they have plenty of water, and grit and just keep an eye on any possible signs ill effects (which mine never had ) I'm sure that for you, this too shall pass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 I recently bought a bale to use in my nesting area and mine started eating it It did improve when I covered it with shredded paper. I wont get any more as although they don't eat as much they are still inclined to eat it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucyandlola Posted June 10, 2011 Author Share Posted June 10, 2011 I have removed it. What a waste! I had 3 bales in my run. They both haven't laid. There was hardly any poo in the coop this morning and now they have the runs.I am going to go to the garden centre after my school run and see what I can get. Thanks very much for your replies, Julie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
