My 17 hens are eating 50lbs in less than a day , is this normal ?

[Chicks Galore3]

Well - you have everyones attention now. I had to read this thread after seeing the title.

If we all chip in $1 we could buy this person an IP camera on the condition that they set it for all of us to view the mystery critter(s) feasting on on the buffet.

JR79 - don't forget to give us an update when you solve the mystery. And welcome to BYC!

 

[donrae]

Also, keep in mind chicken wire doesn't really keep things out. I agree mice and rats can pack out massive amounts of food, they're not eating it but stashing it. I'd also wonder about squirrels or similar. I agree nothing's getting there and eating that much food, it's hauling it off and hiding it.

 

[JanetS]

I say its rats or mice. That's way to much feed for 17 birds. What about a game camera? Don't know where you keep the feeder but something else is definitely helping themselves. Good luck.

 

[JR79]

I sat outside the coop with a clear veiw on my feeder and to my surprise nothing but the hens touched the feed. Even though I havent seen what is steeling the feed this doesnt stop me from believing something eles is steeling my feed. And I am waiting for my neighbors barn cat to have her kittens so I can get some barn cats to hopefully help with the rats who are causing a problem with the horse feed already.Another thing is my father has a game camera and we are going to set it up in the coop . Thank You all so much for your feed back , I really appreciate it.

 

[donrae]

Oh I'll send you some barn cats!! Let me know where and I'll ship some right over

 

[countrygirl74]

I sat outside the coop with a clear veiw on my feeder and to my surprise nothing but the hens touched the feed. Even though I havent seen what is steeling the feed this doesnt stop me from believing something eles is steeling my feed. And I am waiting for my neighbors barn cat to have her kittens so I can get some barn cats to hopefully help with the rats who are causing a problem with the horse feed already.Another thing is my father has a game camera and we are going to set it up in the coop . Thank You all so much for your feed back , I really appreciate it.

Can't wait to hear what you catch on camera!

This post was also insightful as to how much feed different amounts of chickens should be consuming!

 

[Indigosands]

I'm with everyone else, that's two week's feed for my 18 birds and that's without anything to forage right now. I'm also curious what you'll get on your game cam!

 

[HeeereChicken]

same for me...26 chickens go thru about 50lbs in 2 weeks...ugh...hope you figure out the problem

 

[Chris09]

JR79,

1 - When was the last time that you wormed, what wormer did you use and did you reworm after that?
2 - When was the last time that you treated for Coccidiosis, what did you use and did you retreat?
3 - What brand and type of feed are you using and are you offering any treats, if so what and how much are you offering?


Chris

 

[Dylan6]

I have 32 full grown chickens inside all day and I go through 50 lbs in 6 days.