Chicken rearing is a profitable occupation that brings quick income, but it comes with a number of problems. One of the biggest is chickens not wanting to eat. Low feed intake worries farmers because it is an early sign of disease. Here is what to do when chickens will not eat.

Chickens eat less for various reasons. They eat less when the weather changes, for example when it starts getting hot at the end of winter. They eat less when stressed, for example because of pain after beak trimming, or because they are frightened.

A sudden change of feed also reduces intake, such as switching suddenly from pre-starter to starter, or from starter to grower feed. Sick chickens eat less. A sick bird dozes, drools and holds its head down with its beak touching the ground; eating less is then normal.

Chickens eat less when something is mixed into their feed. Adding oyster shell powder can reduce intake, as can adding other feed ingredients. Birds cannot eat if the feeder is too high, and they eat less from unfamiliar containers. A lack of vitamins and minerals in the body also makes chickens eat less.

Act quickly when chickens eat less. Prepare the farm before the season changes. If the house is enclosed for winter, remove the covering gradually according to the temperature, so the birds are not affected by the change.

There is no need to worry if birds eat less because of stress; they will start eating again on their own after a few days. Normal intake may also fall because of a change of feed. As soon as feed intake drops, contact a registered vet or the Department of Livestock Services. Set feeders at the right height so the birds can eat properly.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.