Chicken boarders

[squiffs]

Hi

 

My two chooks ate nearly a WHOLE grub full of layers pellets today - less than a cupful remains! Do chickens only eat what they need to or could they eat out of boredom and for the sake of it? I'm only asking as I'm looking to expand my flock and if they continue eating at this rate it's going to cost me a fortune!

 

What amount should I put out for them? I usually fill the grub up, and then top it up with about a cup or so each day but lately it's just been vanishing.

 

I also take the food inside at nighttime so I know it isn't unwanted visitors.

[keyhole kate]

They do eat more when they come into lay I don't think they eat out of boredom

[squiffs]

They do eat more when they come into lay I don't think they eat out of boredom

yes I did notice the increase in appetite when they started laying (one ate more than the other when only one was laying) but this seems to be an increase on top of that, usually a grub would last them at least a couple of days - so I was shocked when I took it in yesterday evening and it was basically empty!

[Egluntyne]

They eat what they need. That is why it is not a good idea to weigh out a set amount based on average consumption rates, as they may not be getting enough.

 

My lot get through a 20kg sack of pellets in around 10 days.

 

Just a though .... could you have squirrels or other rodents or even other birds helping themselves?

[daxigirl]

I don't know what you have on the run floor but you may find they've trashed the feed under foot. Mine used to rake it out and I found it all under the bark chippings going mouldy . I have hanging feeders now to stop this, not so much fun.

[squiffs]

I don't know what you have on the run floor but you may find they've trashed the feed under foot. Mine used to rake it out and I found it all under the bark chippings going mouldy . I have hanging feeders now to stop this, not so much fun.

They do do this sometimes, babs is actually doing it right now! But they usually do a bit then eat it from the floor and have done this since we got them - so I find it hard to believe they're suddenly doing it so much it all disappears - I will look into a hanging feeder... I thought a grub did hang!

 

And egluntyne, I'm not sure how any other creatures could get into the run unless they're small enough to fit through the gaps in the eglu run's weldmesh

[chickanne]

Have noticed they only tend to toss the pellets out of the grub when it's just been filled. Maybe they don't feel they have enought head room?? It's more they scoop out a bit, then eat it off the floor. They tend not to leave any on the ground.

 

When they are out on the grassed area for more than an hour I always put a few pellets in a treat bowl. They rush over, then turn their little beaks up and give the clear message "That's no treat!" However, they do go and eat the pellets, if hungry.

[squiffs]

Have noticed they only tend to toss the pellets out of the grub when it's just been filled. Maybe they don't feel they have enought head room?? It's more they scoop out a bit, then eat it off the floor. They tend not to leave any on the ground.

 

When they are out on the grassed area for more than an hour I always put a few pellets in a treat bowl. They rush over, then turn their little beaks up and give the clear message "That's no treat!" However, they do go and eat the pellets, if hungry.

 

Aye, mine gorge themselves on pellets even when they're on the grass - however when I put mealworms in a treatbowl for them in the evenings now, they eat a few and then make a mad dash for the lawn to eat the grass instead!

[clucker1]

My 4 girls have been scoffing a whole grub full of layers pellets the last few days. It normally lasts 1.5 to 2 days. I had put it down to the cooler weather. Also, I have begun adding nettex, so was wondering if they LOVE their food supplement. Talking of which, the nettex mineral powder, should it be given daily or once a week etc??

There are no speific instructions on the side of the box. I am hoping the girls' egg shell quality will improve using it, if no luck going to try the Omlet shell improver.

[squiffs]

My 4 girls have been scoffing a whole grub full of layers pellets the last few days.

I only have 2 chooks!

[Mr Rhode Island Red]

A healthy hen, normally, should eat about 125g of pellets a day

[squiffs]

A healthy hen, normally, should eat about 125g of pellets a day

 

 

yeah they eat waaaaaaaay more than that.

 

 

worms?

 

[gongladosh]

they might be huge hens!

[squiffs]

Margot is a big girl, but they're just omlet hybrids and ... strange. The omlet man said our 2 sacks of feed would last 2 chooks 2 months, and they've been here less than a month and gotten through a sack and a half!

[splodge88]

As to animals getting through the run bars... when we had rats they used to squeeze through ours & nick the food.

[Julia W]

Rats can sqeeze through the smallest of holes so I don't think the mesh on the eglu will stop a determined one, mice could certianly fit through. They say that a mouse can sqeeze through a hole no bigger than a ball piont pen.

 

My girls tend to scoop the pellets out of the grub if it's just been filled. Likewise, when I feed them corn from my hands in the late afternoon, again they peck for a while then scoop it out of my hands, yet if I put it on the floor for them they won't leave me alone until I sit on one of the tree stumps in the run and hand feed them.......weird but I love it and make it a daily treat for them and me.

[Redwing]

I'd also say they arent eating that much and would suspect rodents, birds or wastage

 

Try not filling it up so far and also hooking it up higher, it can go at the chicken's back height or even a bit higher, that would then stop any scooping and lessen the chances that its a rodent stealing the food

 

You could consider switching to a 'hanging' gravity feeder

[squiffs]

The last mouse I found in my garden was half skinned alive by either my cat or a frustrated fox.

[Julia W]

I like the idea from Redwing about putting the feeders higher up, my girls also scoop some of the food out if they are filled too full. I shall raise them up tomorrow morning.

 

Thanks for that tip, never thought about it before and I've had chickens since 2008.

[Happy Mrs Chicken]

What food do you give your chooks?Mine dont eat very much of the layers pellets i got for them this time,a grub full lasts my 3 chooks 2 to 3 days.I think i will go back to the omlet feed.

[squiffs]

What food do you give your chooks?Mine dont eat very much of the layers pellets i got for them this time,a grub full lasts my 3 chooks 2 to 3 days.I think i will go back to the omlet feed.

 

 

Yup, omlet organic layers pellets - however I will just buy Marriage's Organic Layers Pellets when this runs out as they're the same!

[Alis girls]

Yes they are related to teenagers = they do the same - well male ones do