fussy ex batts

[pinkprincess]

we have five ex battery hens and although they are very happy to eat thier layers mash and pasta, rice and noodles but nothing else. They wont touch greens, bread or potatoes even if they are hungry. should i be worried?

[julesapple]

I bet they've never seen greens before.

Try them on a few halved grapes or strawberries, sort of introduce them gradually.

Aunty Mo will know what to do!

Jules

[Flummery]

Mine loved greens from the outset. Most go mad for grapes though. Try chopping a few - you won't get far before you're mugged! Ex batts haven't had the wealth of experience our pet chickens get so it's all strange to them at first.

[frias]

Don't know how long you've had your ex-batts PP but I wouldn't be worried. Two of my older ones love strawberries but one doesn't. None of the new 3 like them either but all love woodlice. We found masses today and they disappeared in seconds. They also all love tomatoes and tinned sweetcorn. As long as they like their layers they are getting everything they need.

[MaureenHall]

The first time I offered cabbage leaves to my first ex-batts, they looked at them as if they were from another planet!! I think a whole cabbage was left in the run for about 3 weeks before one accidentally pecked at it and decided that it was edible after all. They all go mad for anything I chuck or hang in the run now, it just takes time that's all. No need to worry, they'll get there in the end

[smileyt]

Don't feed them potato or avocado though as they are poisonous to chickens.

It took my three a couple of days to work out that cabbage was edible, too. Now they mug me at the door of the run if I am carrying cabbage leaves! I'm going to ask my local greengrocer tomorrow if they have any greens that are too battered to sell. Perhaps if I offer him an egg or two we can strike up a bartering relationship

[Hans Mum]

cooked spuds are ok....my ex-batts took a little while to realise that greens are tasty but as Flum says they havent seen them before...now they know and they eat anything including my plants

[HayleyB]

It only takes one to go for it and the rest will not be able to resist....

[raine]

I hung up a head of broccoli one morning, then came home tofind them huddling down the botton, absolutely terrified! Mine are ex-batts too and still won't touch greens! They do like grass though.