"Picky Feeder" How do you get them to eat???

[Hattikins]

Over the last month or so Hattie has been doing quite a bit of strenuous work, and she was dropping off a bit so we uped her feeds to three feeds a day which seemed fine for several weeks, then about two weeks ago she began to leave her morning feed and not touch it, so as she had put on weight again we took her back down to two feeds but now she will only eat 3/4 of her evening feed and half of her morning feed at the most even if you give her a good 20mins/half hour to eat it.

She's currently on 2 feeds of 3/4scp allen & page quiet mix with supplements and water to soften it.

we gave up on the chaff because it was making her so slow she was bored eating and leaving most of both feeds. and she didnt really enjoy the speedibeet so her feed is pretty plain at the moment - how on earth am i going to get her eating more???

Any feed suggestions - open to try anything really!!

 

[miller]

I found D+H Mint Supplement worked on my lad when he was off his food (also good for maskig drugs)

My lad is the same though - has 3 feeds and often doesn't eat up all his brekkie but he's not losing any weight so I'm not overly concerned

 

[skye123]

i`ve heard of putting apple juice in feed to encourage them to eat it?

 

[lusty]

yes i've heard of adding apple juice or sauce. also honey.

 

[WelshRareBit]

I use Pink Powder for Murph whose dropped weight - but it is also good for fussy feeders.
http://www.naf-uk.com/pinkpowder.html

 

[xxcharlottexx]

how about adding mollasses?

 

[Hattikins]

hmmmmm i think ill have to test all those out and see if they help

Thanks Guys

 

[loobylu]

Might be worth trying herbs/spices such as fenugreek, ginger, aniseed etc. fenugreek in particular is meant to be an appetite stimulant. (Try raiding the kitchen- worked for me!)

 

[guisbrogal]

Drizzle some honey over their feed. Ellie demolishes it!

 

[cariadssogreat]

I found that making polo mint gravy was always quite successful! Fenugreek is supposed to increase the appetite too

 

[jayvee]

I think our Murphy is 'chaffed out' at the mo, so cutting it well back. Did add a sprinkling of pasture mix for the 'smell' and helped.
He's a fussy eater, yet tells you he's starved!! Work that one out!

 

[icestationzebra]

Try adding apple juice instead of water.... I used to add it to Ice's water to encourage him to drink at comps.....