FUSSY CHICKENS - "You reap what you sow"

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elmwood

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Hi

Cant tell you my delight when I sourced a Garvo stockist less than 10 miles away. Bought some (20kg)Layers Pellets and a couple of bags of "Alfamix".

Well- my girls starved themselves for three days. They went to bed with empty crops, having not touched the pellets. After 3 days, I decided I would have to open the Alfamix, which is a complete food, and was bought to give them 2-3 times a week as a change and treat. My girls turned their beaks up at that too. It smelled yummy and looked even scrummier. Couldn't believe what was happening.....why oh why ?One bowl of food lasted all five girls over 5 days.

Thankfully it has been exceptionally cold today, and upon my return home the Alfamix bowl was almost empty, thank goodness~ only taken a week for them to tuck in. They all went to bed with full crops at last!

Mindyou they won't touch the pellets and at £7 for 4KG of Alfamix, it is going to be expensive.

Any ideas? or other disheartened members? I put so much faith in Garvo, and I must say it looks exceptionally nutritious and appetizing, BUT I have no idea why my girls are disinterested.

Sharron
 
I have not tried the Garvo feed, but when I change "brands" of chicken feed on occassions it takes while for the girls to get used to it.
They are definately creatures of habbit :lol:
 
Don't suppose it's anything to do with the warm porridge etc that they've got used to is it ? :) Mind you I did think I should try your wrapping them in warm towels idea with my poor bald girl.
 
Dawn- Have you seen the posts about being able to buy little coats?
Might just be the ticket for your bald girlie?

Just about to give them a bowl of "Ready Brek" and their "Towels" are in the tumble drier as I type! Getting through them like a hairdressers........ :-)07
 
I was tempted by the little coats, but she's feathering up again now so I'll save her the embarrassment :)

Haven't done the hot towels yet, but have just gone home in my lunch hour to defrost their water and check they're ok as it's -5 here even in the day time.

I've just seen your other post about yours being lethargic and not eating. Mine are eating, but then I haven't changed their food. They spend most of their time in their house and the undercover area of the run. Elvis (the boy) is braver and comes out into the garden a little way, but he's bigger and not moulting. The girls tiptoe out to eat and drink first thing then dash back into the house, complaining all the time. I think the pekins particularly hate the snow and damp ground, my neighbour's sussex and aracaunas are out and wandering quite happily in the snow.

I'm sure yours are just fed up with the weather (like the rest of us !)
 
That's interesting. i have two araucanas out and about quite happily and a trio of pekins who won't come out despite the fact I have cleared all snow from the grass their run is on. When I cleaned them out yesterday they sat on the ramp in a huddle until I let them back in again.
 
My Pekins are the same. Usually they can't wait to get out of the run into the garden but with the snow they skulk about in the run and won't come out. If they do they tend to fly abit and skim the ground to get under the bushes. I am abit worried about foxes coming into the garden in this weather as we back onto a field and they must be getting hungry now.
 
being a pekin in the snow is like a human going out in socks, can you blame them? they will eventually eat the food you have bought for them. They are not stupid, they wont starve!
 
why dont you try mixing trats in with food, like oate, veg, etc. then gradually take the treats away.
Dan
 
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