Lone Ranger Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Hi, We've had the 2 girls for a couple of weeks now, and I've noticed that the level of pellets in the grub don't seem to be going down much over the last few days. Most afternoons they get a small handful of corn and maybe some mealworms - but I am wondering if I am giving them too much ? (very difficult to resist when they hoover it up so quick) What sort of quantities do people put out as treats ? (they aren't laying yet so assume they will eat less ?) Thanks, Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 My two get a handful or corn when I let them out of their run in the afternoon and then a plate of something for supper. Dont worry too much at the moment - once they start laying they will eat much much more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 My 4 chickens who are all laying get some greens like cauli leaves, cabbage or lettuce late morning then a large handful of corn thrown into the run to get them to go back in late afternoon. They eat a lot more once laying, but it is best to keep treats for later in the day, so they eat up their pellets like good girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Mine get a tin of sweetcorn between eight of them Takes about 3 nanoseconds to polish off. I also give them mealworms, pasta, rice, potato, but not all at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Ranger Posted February 26, 2008 Author Share Posted February 26, 2008 Thanks all, sounds like I'm giving them the right sort of balance. I generally save the treats for late afternoon when I want to trick them to go back in the run after a wander around the garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowchick Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 We get through about a small tin of sweetcorn every 5 days - between 5 of them - they love it so much - we tried raisins but they dont seem to like them, I think its just that they can't see them on top of the bark I'd love to know what else people give them as a treat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 I'd love to know what else people give them as a treat? Have you tried them with cooked spaghetti yet Kelly? - Hilarious!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Tried mine with spaghetti today- they looked at it as if to say 'what on earth' Scurry took some then Bumble took it off her, pecked at it a bit and left it. Don't think they were very impressed. They've got a few lettuce leaves now instead.......they're not too sure about that either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 I'd love to know what else people give them as a treat? Mine get mainly leftovers from my non-eating children (who appear to live on air and Cheesestrings). So their treat often involves marmite on toast, coco pops, rice, mashed potato, cooked noodles and uneaten fruit. I also sometimes share a tin of sweetcorn with them and also give them the manky grapes that end up in the bottom of the bag. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 I'd love to know what else people give them as a treat? * tinned sweetcorn (obviously!) * sunflower hearts (ie not in husks) * cut maize - I tried them on mixed corn to begin with but they just left all the wheat, which then attracted mice * tinned tuna (the kind that comes in water, not oil or brine) - good protein boost for egg-layers/moulters! * plain unsweetened yogurt mixed with layers mash, sweetcorn/tuna and poultry spice - another healthy treat * leftover cooked rice/couscous/mashed potato/etc * stale bread torn into pieces and soaked in warm water - they love it almost as much as sweetcorn! I also give them leftover salad leaves, but I don't count that as a treat because it's so low-calorie - more just for vitamins and fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Don't overdo it wit the sunflower hearts....they are very fatty and can cause liver probs, and also interfere with calcium absorption. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwichick Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Mine are barely eating their layer pellets at the moment. They seem to have developed cow-like tendencies and prefer to eat grass and compost I gave them some porridge for the first time the other day which they loved and for extra protein I've given them a hard boiled egg a couple of times. Bit cannibalistic but good protein Does anyone give their chooks sunflower seeds? Do they have to be shelled first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 They love sunflower hearts Kiwichick....(yes they do have to be shelled. ).....but they are very fatty and can overload the liver, and can too many can also interfere with calcium absorption, so just give them as a very occasional treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwichick Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 How dopey am I. I just re-read the posts above mine, same question, same answer Thanks for responding Egluntine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I did experience a strange feeling of deja vu as I typed the answer Kiwichick, but I didn't notice that it was directly above either!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I can hardly believe that your girls don't like spaghetti, Mrs Webmuppet. Mine go crazy for it! It's like a feeding frenzy. They also love mealworms, cooked veggie peelings, mixed corn, sultanas, porridge, marmite toast........the list is endless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I can hardly believe that your girls don't like spaghetti, Mrs Webmuppet. Mine go crazy for it! It's like a feeding frenzy. Maybe you should give it another go Mrs Webmuppet - just in case! I say this because the first time my chooks see anything new they're scared of it - same with spaghetti, I had to break bits off and hand feed it to them beofre they realised it was edible and wasnt a scary thing now it gets flung thither and yon across the decking before they hoover it up!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickled egg Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 For hilarious fun try giving your girls a prune (stone out). I can only say its like a rugby match! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 You might regret that tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickled egg Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 luckily I don't have to share a nest box with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clur Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Mine love apple, as long as some of the peel has been taken off. I throw one in the garden for them and watch them chase it before demolishing it in about 3 seconds! They also get porridge for the 3 days each month I worm them (I sprinkle the VermX on the top), sweetcorn occassionally and other greens from time to time. If I am bribing them back in the run, they get a handful of corn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Don't overdo it wit the sunflower hearts....they are very fatty and can cause liver probs, and also interfere with calcium absorption. Thanks for the reminder, Egluntine. I usually only give them a small palm-full between them about twice a week, as a bribe to get them in the run quickly when I need to go to work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emily95 Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 my chooks like water biscuits ( digestives only as a special treat) corn popped corn- unsalted cooked rice mashed potato grapes and anything they can get their beaks in! what else do they like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 They don't seem too keen on lettuce or grapes either. It may be because they haven't seen them before. Corn on the cob doesn't last five minutes, I think I will try tinned sweetcorn next............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 mine love (cooked) potato peelings, I never ever peel spuds now without peeling straight into a second saucepan! I bought a big bag of reduced beansprouts at Waitrose on Monday night, they were very popular too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
