Why won't my chickens eat chicken food?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Geoff Fox on October 28, 2012 at 2:41pm

Try using layer crumbles, which is part way between mash and pellets in size. Less waste that way. Mash is usually used in large operations as it flows better or for chicks. Be careful about feeding layer feed when less than 22 weeks as that can damage their kidneys due to high calcium and phosphorous content. What is the protein content of the feed you're using? I use 18% crumbles, and when I accidently bought 16% pellets, they started pecking each others feathers out which is a habit that's hard to stop once it gets going. It does take a few weeks of early laying to sort out their systems. I've had soft shells, rough shells, double yolks, huge and tiny eggs within the first month or so of laying. Lighting will also make a difference at this time of year.

Permalink Reply by Alyssa K on October 30, 2012 at 9:28am

My girls like egg shells way better than oyster shells. I toast them in the oven (after its turned off from whatever else I was baking), crush them up and add them directly back to the layer mash.

They will eventually eat whatever they've got. I would just ride it out, and possibly use grower until all the girls are laying, since as Geoff mentioned, you actually don't want the young girls to have too much calcium, and the soft eggs may not be a calcium deficiency after all but just getting her system sorted out.

Good luck!

Permalink Reply by stephanie st loe on November 1, 2012 at 2:08pm

Thanks to everyone for their advice. I feel very reassured. I think I was imagining catastrophic osteporosis setting in and having sick, droopy chickens. I have backed off on the cat food-now they just get the odd spoonful the cat feels is too stale for his consideration. i.e. more than half an hour out of the tin. I'm going the eggshell route-I microwave them to kill bacteria then grind them in the blender. I think the next oldest hen may have started laying, or the problem is solved-got 3 nice thick-shelled eggs this week.

Permalink Reply by Alyssa K on November 2, 2012 at 12:24pm

(My girls LOVE cat food, too - it's their favorite food. They get what's left in the bowl after the cat is done...)

Permalink Reply by stephanie st loe on November 8, 2012 at 9:23am

The curse is lifted! I am now getting consistently nice thick shelled eggs! Not really much change in the feed, so you were all indeed right-it seems sometimes they just need practice when they get started. Either that or I waited too long to add the artificail lighting-let her go off laying then added light then she had to start up the process again. Maybe the adding-shell part of the process didn't come on line as quickly as the making-filling part? In any case I now have eggs and very healthy looking chickens.