[FrostyM]

We had 4 hens which we were feeding a mixture of layers pellets and corn. About 2 weeks ago we added 6 more POL pullets. When we bought them we were advised to just feed layers pellets until they began to lay then we could add some corn as a treat etc. We have a 3kg feeder hanging in their shed but a fill would last a week until empty. The feed is dry and we regularly freshen it up to tempt them to eat it but to no avail. We are only getting one egg a day at best. The hens have access to an outdoor area with a little grass but it has been mostly worn away. We have had an issue with a bully hen and have removed her this evening incase she is putting the others off their food. We are running out of ideas and I am wondering if anyone on here would have any ideas as to why they aren't eating? Thanks for reading, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[jaykay]

Well.

Your pullets may not be used to feeding from a feeder. What do they do if you scatter it on the ground?
What do they do with straight wheat? (maize is a bit fattening for the summer, good in the winter when they need the warmth).

But i think the biggest issue is introduction of the pullets, which will have upset the pecking order. Taking out the 'bully' hen will do that too, personally I'd put her back and let them sort themselves out. This social unrest will have put them off their egg-laying stroke.

Are the new pullets healthy? Could they have introduced an illness? Did you worm them?

If yes to all of the above, I'd concentrate on providing them with plenty to do - straw to scratch about in, scatter your wheat in the straw, broccoli or cauliflower heads or millet sprays hung up to peck at, dig over a bit of the soil so they can hunt for worms. Find a couple of long branches to make into outdoor perches.

They'll sort out in good time.

[omnipeasant]

Can't imagine hens not eating, although I am fairly new to chooks could it be that they are finding plenty to eat outside? I will watch this space as I might learn something.

[in the hills]

As Jaykay says - are they otherwise healthy ...... not standing hunched up, poo okay?, bright eyes, active.


If so, it won't hurt them to scatter some mixed corn into their run. They usually prefer corn to layers and you should see them scratch around for it. You could also add an extra food hopper or other container with food in. This will enable your new birds to eat without pressure from established birds.


Did you put the new pullets straight in with established flock or keep them separated for a while until they got used to each other?

[chrismahon]

I would have thought being bullied off the feeder first and different food second. As Inthehills says try putting another feeder and drinker down FrostyM. Also if they can't drink they won't eat -have you got ACV in the water and they don't like that?

[jaykay]

A second feeder and drinker is also a good idea.

I try to do this with any of my animals, have at least two feeding/watering places or whatever, some distance apart, so that the less dominant ones can't be prevented from getting to one of them at least.

[FrostyM]

Thanks for all the replies,


The birds seem healthy and active, nothing unusual with the poo, you wouldn't think there is much wrong with them other than the food level not dropping. I will try scattering some food around in the morning and set up a second feeder and drinker and see if that helps. I will let you know how it goes tomorrow. Thanks again 

[FrostyM]

Just to let everyone know I tried the two feeders and drinkers and the hens still wouldn't eat. I tried scattering some pellets around and they showed a little interest in them but I think if I was throwing pebbles they would have had the same interest to be honest, it was just the throwing that got their attention. I decided I would try putting the pellets in some warm water and making them into a warm paste and scattering it on a board and they have taken to that quite well. I am just happy they are eating at the moment but now that I have them eating this I will probably try to mix in some dry pellets over the next few weeks to see if I can wean them onto them. Seems strange that I've had to do that with this batch and didn't before but if it works it works    Thanks for the advice from everyone

[Mammyshaz]

This is probably a stupid reply from a novice keeper but could it be that they have only been fed on mash and don't know what to do with pellets?   
Just a thought although I thought they would peck at anything that was scattered around?

[FrostyM]

They were fed on pellets previously. The same brand and everything. They have a bit of a peck when i scatter them but lose interest very quickly, never happened before, is a bit of a strange one. Ah well I have them on the mash now and I will start mixing in a little dried stuff with it and try to wean them on to it that way

[in the hills]

FrostyM - are you just expecting them to eat more than they actually need?


I have never really noted how much of the hopper mine empty in a day and I have very different sizes of bird (from RIR to little pekins) so the comparison would probably be a little pointless anyway. They certainly don't keep gobbling away until the hopper is empty and when in the past I had fewer birds the hopper didn't need filling that often. I think that, unless ill, they would take what they need - as long as there isn't too much competition/bullying going on.


If I throw layers pellets on the ground, my hens will quite often take a look and just walk off. I think most hens react differently to corn and appear more keen to search for this. It wouldn't hurt your hens to introduce grain into their diet if they don't already have it.

[FrostyM]

I got in some corn today to try and give them some of that too but would prefer if they ate the layers rather than the corn. I have heard varying estimates on the amount per hen per day and between the 14 of them they are just about eating the amount recommended for 1 hen, in or around 150/200 g a day. I have kept hens before but took a break for a few years, the old lot used to eat much more than this lot, I suppose it could be just their personalities. I am not as worried now as they are eating the mash and will scatter some corn and pellets mixed and see if they go for that. Am I right in thinking they need the layers pellets for nutrients and to encourage laying? Or is it just the same to feed them corn alone? I would have thought the pellets were the best for them but maybe I am over thinking the importance of them?

[in the hills]

Where are you getting the info. about recommended intake?   Is it from pellet manufacturers?


There was a recent thread about feeding. Many people feed only grains ...... though I think most of their hens were free ranging and so finding creepy crawlies to boost the protein levels in their diet.


I personally feed layers pellets and mixed corn. My girls free range over a couple of acres. I leave the hoppers out for a couple of hours in the morning and the same in the evening and throw out mixed corn in between. Some of my hens, RIRs and hybrids seem to eat the pellets fairly readily and others seem to enjoy foraging more and barely take any pellets. I have neighbours that only feed grains and their hens are healthy and lay well. I don't think giving them some corn each day will adversely affect their laying at all.

[FrostyM]

I have gotten them from a few different websites and books, they seem to vary from about 100-300g per hen per day with most saying 150g or 200g. We have the hopper hanging in their shed permanently. I am scattering a mix with the pellets and warm water that they are eating so it might be the consistency of the pellets they don't like? Seems a bit odd, they haven't started laying yet but I will give them another couple of weeks before I get too worried.

[jaykay]

Well mine, who have been laying well since March, have now dwindled down to almost nothing this last week. Think they must be as sick of the weather as I am! So maybe yours feel the same