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Original poster

Help!! Why won't my new chickens eat my pellets?I am afraid they are going to starve to death.

15 replies

TurkeyLurkey · 09/09/2008 17:17

Got my POL Warren hens on Sunday, they have a nice house, a small run and the free range of a large rural garden.

Chicken heaven you would think but they are being mardy and are not eating the layers pellets at all. They were on the same pellets at the farm they were at. They will nibble at corn if I throw that down but won't touch the pellets. They have hardly eaten a thing since I got them.

They seem ok in theirselves, but are shy and spend a lot of time in their house but do come out for a little wander about.

Should I be worried? Will they eat in time when they have got used to their new surroundings?
Any advice would be appreciated.

OP posts:
NutterlyUts · 09/09/2008 17:21

I would guess they are pigging out in the garden and don't need to eat the pellets, but I'm sure someone with knowledge will be along in a bit

Lauriefairycake · 09/09/2008 17:23

they are most definitely eating a load of worms and plants - mine have devastated my garden and only eat pellets when there is not enough huge worms to fight over (and mine are 5 years old)

They still get through a bag every 3 months.

Original poster
TurkeyLurkey · 09/09/2008 17:27

Thanks for replying. The thing is I haven't seen them eat a lot in the garden. I have been watching them like an anxious parent and don't thing they are stuffing themselves on other stuff.

OP posts:
Lauriefairycake · 09/09/2008 17:32

Are they sitting on eggs?

have you checked their bums for a stuck egg?

are they laying?

are they very young still?

Doodle2U · 09/09/2008 17:34

Don't let them free-range until after 3pm each day - that way, they'll eat the pellets because there's nowt else and then they can have their treat in the garden. Might take a few days but they'll cotton on eventually.

ajm200 · 09/09/2008 17:34

Are they laying yet or at POL?

If they aren't laying they hardly seem to eat anything at all so are probably filling up on corn and whatever they can find. Cut back on the treats and keep them in their run for a while in the mornings (if you have one) so that they can eat their proper food before filling up on junk

Our 5 hardly ate anything when they first arrived. A feeder would last them all week. Their appetites really ramped up just before they started to lay. Now they empty the feeder daily, eat all the treats we offer and free range.

ajm200 · 09/09/2008 17:36

The reason I ask is some places sell very young chickens as POL others supply chickens that are laying or just about to.

Some of ours took 3 weeks to start laying others took 4 months.

NappiesGalore · 09/09/2008 17:39

agree with;
they'll eat loads more when they come into lay, and
dont let them out to free range till later in the morning if you want them to eat what theyre given

Original poster
TurkeyLurkey · 09/09/2008 17:39

They are 18 weeks old. They are not sitting on eggs and haven't layed yet (although they love the nesting box). Perhaps I should try locking them in the house and run til mid afternoon as you say and see if things improve.

OP posts:
CafeConLecheGalore · 09/09/2008 17:47

dont worry TL, they wont starve themselves. thyere just settling in, and young. when they start laying they really do up the intake.
do try the keeping them in longer, not least while you/they get used to each other...

enjoy!

ajm200 · 09/09/2008 17:48

They need lots of 'good' food while they are growing and when they come into lay, the amount of proper food definately makes a difference to their egg laying.

Ours would lay lots of double yolkers followed by soft shell eggs or nothing at all. Keeping them in helped their egg laying to settle down. Much as we love double yolkers, it is a bit much for a chicken to lay them every day.

Original poster
TurkeyLurkey · 09/09/2008 17:57

Brilliant reponses thank you so much. I will try and chill out a bit and stop worrying about them starving themselves. Will keep them in longer during the day too.

OP posts:
CafeConLecheGalore · 09/09/2008 20:50

[considers keeping mine in for longer too...]

ChickenTony · 28/04/2010 08:56

I have the same problem with my approx 18 week old hens. I had to try something as after 4 days they seemed not to have eaten anything so I put a fist of pellets into a bowl and added hot water to soften to a mash. Left it cool and gave it to them. I could have picked them up one at a time as they we so into eating it. Just be carefull not to give them too much as it would go off (ferment) very quick. I also scatter a small bit of seed and pellets on the run floor for them to pick.

ChickenTony.

florencerusty · 28/04/2010 14:41

We've had ours since January and they lay really well, and have a fair sized run to scratch in but even now eat very little in the way of pellets. They get something fresh most days but not until the afternoon.
I am not too worried though as they all seem well

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