lisaroo2 Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Hi All Ok, so it's getting close to time to actually go and fetch my hens. Most things are sorted except.................. ..........afternoon tea! They'll have layers pellets in the morning, so what about the afternoon and what do you classify as 'treats' A slightly neurotic soon-to-be-hen-owner! Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirkwood Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 don't worry about being neurotic, i still worry about mine and one thing i do know is that mixed corn is a treat. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Once a week-i give mine Marmite on toast and they love it! It does cause WW3 though and much squabbling goes on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 I love marmite on toast dont didn't realise hens did though.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 organic mixed corn (mine get a handful between 4 chooks). A scattering of chopped grapes, with a sprinkling of dried meal worms. yum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisaroo2 Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 Thanks for the ideas...keep em coming... So the treats list now goes... *Mixed corn *Marmite on toast - not so sure about that one was as neither myself or husband to be can stand the stuff! Will they like jam instead? Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 sweetcorn (tinned without salt or sugar added) or whole cobs hung up for them to peck Raisins Porridge made with warm water Mine love whole broccoli hung up in the run aswell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete1974 Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 tinned sweet corn or a bit of cooked rice mine go made for live mealworms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 leftover mashed potato Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 I've only had my girls for 4 weeks but so far they love mixed corn, grapes, meal worms, brocolli and cabbage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 my girls love most of what's already been mentioned. They also enjoy weetabix and ready brek mixed with warm water sprinkled with a few raisins. They also enjoy tuna flavoured cat food (helps them to get through a moult) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisaroo2 Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 Thanks for all your suggestions! Are there any food groups that are definetly a no no? Also what about about quantities? I dont want to overfeed or starve them... ....so many questions!! Aargh! Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 I would say treats in moderation as too many can give them the squits and also they get used to the treats and wont eat their pellets! NO avacado. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisaroo2 Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 I know this is a daft question, but will the chooks 'tell' me if they're hungry? I am hoping that when they arrive that all I've learnt will suddenly make sense! I also know that I can always come here and you'll all help Thank you! Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 chooks are always hungry!! they would eat and eat given chance. Once your chickens have got used to you, they will soon learn to associate you with treats, you will be followed when you go out in the garden to do anything!! Also, when you eat in the garden you could quite possibly be "sandwich mugged" like I was last weekend. All good fun though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisaroo2 Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 It does sound like fun Chelsea and I can't wait to have some company when I'm in the garden. I am really looking forward to getting to know the chooks little characters. When I first mentioned at work that I am going to have some hens they all thought I was mad. Now it's amazing the amount of people that are interested and want to know when the chooks have arrived! It was nice to fine this forum especially for like minded people! Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 well if it's afternnon tea..........then they'll be wanting cake and a cuppa actually my girls love cake and if I sit in the garden with a cuppa and a slice of cake I suddenly find I have lots of chookie friends Sometimes they get a little bit of cake but not often as it makes them fat and they shouldn't have loads of carbs They also love grapes, greens, live mealworms, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, apples, pears, pumpkins...........think that's about it :D Welcome to the happy world of chicken keeping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisaroo2 Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 Im building a rather comprehensive list here. I suppose its a case of try it and see what they like, a bit of trial and error. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 definitely trial and error..........not all chickens like the same treats but they will certainly let you know :D :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLK69 Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 I find frozen corn or peas good - I just pour boiling water over them to defrost and they're ready to go, cheaper than tins and no added salt or sugar so you don't need to rinse first. mine totally adore warm corn or peas just b 4 bed time. It easy to tell when something is wrong like empty water bowl or food bowl they kinda cluck about being odd - I came home one day to find them a bit agitated and they had knocked over the water bowl and not all will drink out the glug - S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 knew there was something I had forgotten............sweetcorn :D how could I have forgotten their most favourite treat :oops: .........I'm a bad chicken mummy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Hmmm well mine are partial to boiled new potatoes, hubby took some out just to see if they would eat them, he said they nearly ate him they loved them soo much .. so my treats are new potatoes with skins on, boiled rice, grapes, sweet corn, green beans, broccoli & softly boiled potatoe peelings. I'll second that chickens are hungry all of the time, thats all they seem to do eat everything in site. You'll love having them with you in the garden - theyre such good fun. Ms Tillyshadafullhousewith6chooksalaying6wonderfuleggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 My like list so far is: weetabix or readybrek with hot water soggy bread spaghetti tomatoes sweetcorn rinsed baked beans (leftovers) should be listening at the coop to see if they have wind tonight most cooked veg trying mash tomorrow raisins most herbs live mealworms eww maggots cucumber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisaroo2 Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 Thanks for the list! Afternoon tea for the girls doesn't seem to be so daunting now. How lucky am I to have found this forum! Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 My chooks favourites are soggy bread and boiled pasta ( obviously into the high carb diet ! )and meal worms.But they will eat anything offered, especially if Iput it in their treat bowl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...