h&schickens Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Hi, We picked our chickens up last saturday. We have 4 Lohmans and 4 Black Rocks (yet to be named). Their main food is obviously layers pellets and we are unsure about the best treats we can give them. I work at the local Morrisons and can get loads of vegetables that are not good enough to sell. Any tips would be most helpful.. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Hi and welcome to the forum from me. Veg is definately good. Anything green is fab. Great for a lovely egg yolk colour. Mine are fussy and won't eat sprouts or carrots unless they are cooked but that's just my girls. I don't think they are allowed avacado or citrus. Potato skins must be cooked. Mine love melon pips, anything green, even the woody brocolli stalks, go mad for cooked rice and pasta, and baked beans (washed, no sauce). The list is endless............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Welcome! From reading everything on here and trying things at home, I can only suggest you try different things! My girls like raisins, mixed corn. mealworms and grapes! They don't like potato skins (cooked) lettuce, tomatoes or apples. I think a lot of this is trial and error. Just try them, they'll let you know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Welcome to the forum. I've only had my chickens for 3 weeks and mine adore grapes and dried meal worms as special treats. They all take these from my hand now and Edith and Ron have been so bold as to sit on my knee so they can get more than their fair share They also love brocolli and cabbage. There's a good page on the forum which gives a list of good and bad foods for chickens. http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12659 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h&schickens Posted April 17, 2008 Author Share Posted April 17, 2008 Thanks for replying so quickly. Wish we had got chickens years ago, so much pleasure out of them already. I will sort out some pics of our set up for them as soon as I get time. Chickens are only 20 weeks old, just hope we are not waiting too long for our first egg!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h&schickens Posted April 17, 2008 Author Share Posted April 17, 2008 Is red cabbage suitable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Hello and welcome to the forum. How lucky to have access to all that veg for them. I wouldn't over do it at first though, it might give them the squitts. re the red cabbage,,,,,there is only one way to find out! That might make their poo an interesting colour. Some chickens are fussy and will only eat their veg cooked. By the way....always cook potatoes or potato peelings before feeding to the hens....they contain a toxin which is rendered harmless by cooking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h&schickens Posted April 17, 2008 Author Share Posted April 17, 2008 At the moment, I just give treats at 5pm. Only tried cabbage (white) and a few grapes but they are not interested. A few sprinklings of mixed corn goes down well!! Sooo glad i registered with this forum, you people seem so friendly and very helpful. Having the chickens make me get out of bed early when I have a chance of a lie in, they are influencing my life already. Well worth it, didn't realise they could be so amusing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Welcome to the forum, H&S . Glad you're having fun with your girls already . Re treats, I reckon they're like humans, they all have different tastes. Dried mealworms, grapes and raisins work for mine! Get those photos taken . We need to see chickens . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Regarding the red cabbage - I bought a large bag of mixed salad for the chooks today - threw it on the path and they ate all the green lettuce first, then all the shredded red cabbage, then lastly the shredded carrott. It was funny seeing their preferences - but it all disappeared in the end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
druids57 Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 Hi and Welcome to the forum and to chicken keeping. I have only had my girls four weeks and dont know what I would have done without the advice and support of people here. I worried about treats but would echo what people say they have different preferences and will let you now what they do and dont like - for mine raisins are absolute favourites followed by sweetcorn cooked pasta and cooked rice and brocollior cucumber hung up in the run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...