moomin Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 I guess this is a bit of a silly 'new chicken mum' worry but as always would welcome your opinion. My two chickens are on growers pellets and like others I have noticed they don't seem to eat very much of it. I haven't been giving them too many treats, as I want them to grow big and strong But in the last week or so I've been giving them a bowl of Pellet Porridge in the afternoon, just pellets with hot water from the kettle, sometimes I top it with shredded lettuce or dandelion leaves and a few chopped grapes. They adore it, but now I'm worried because they seem to be eating the dry pellets even less!! I have just given them a bowl of this porridge they fell on it and have been pecking at it for the last hour! The little minxes seem to wait all day for it! Is this bad for them? The fact that they eat nearly nothing all day (although they do forrage arround in the easibed but it's on concrete so they can't be getting many bugs ), and then they stuff themselves stupid in the space of an hour!!?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 I give mine pellet porridge and they just eat it all up - however I have changed to using cold water, because I was not sure what the hot water would do to the added vitamins and minerals - some of which are probably weakened by cooking, so I didn't want to take the chance. As far as mine are concerned I am quite happy to make them think they are getting daily treats so I cannot see the harm in it. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 When you consider what chickens have lived on for thousands of years, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Rumplestiltskin turned straw into gold and hens turn grass, bugs, slugs and even frogs into eggs that are probably far more nutritious than most of the products on supermarket shelves. Your girls are lucky you take such good care of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 One of my chicken books says that a free ranging hen will get 25% of its daily protein from grass alone. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 Pellet porridge - I like it (the idea that is, I don't fancy it much for my own dinner ). Will whip up a batch for the girls later to see what they think. Still experimenting with different treats so keen to try new ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 If they are really good they get some poultry spice mixed in, or a topping of a sprinkle of mixed corn in my house. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 One of my girls has had either sour crop or impacted crop recnelty (I'm still not sure which) and had a full swinging crop first thing in the morning. So as well as the usual measures for that, I decided to give them all soft food so it passed through her easily. I've been adding warm water (from the cooled kettle, but not hot) to the pellets. The warm water soaks into the pellets much better than cold I find. Then dollop a bit of live yoghurt on top, garlic powder and bokashi bran for good measure. After 2 weeks they now seem to prefer this to pellets. But I'm hoping once Henny's crop is better they will go back to pellets as it's a bit of a faff making porridge every morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted April 25, 2008 Author Share Posted April 25, 2008 I will carry on giving it to them then,at least for a while, I don't mind making it for them and it's a joy to see them knock it back!! Thanks guys I let them out this aft, for the first time since I got them two weeks ago. I waited a while longer than the normal 5 days 'cos the breeder said so as they are quite little compared to the pol chickens. They strayed all of 3 feet from the run door!! Pecking up bits of nothing all the way!! They did enjoy it though!! Tomorrow's supposed to be a nice hot(ish) day. Will take some pics of their exploits for you - they may go a bit further this time!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 I find pellet porridge is a good way to use up slightly "stale" pellets. My three have two Grubs. I start with fresh pellets in both. After a three days, I move the residue from A into B, and then put fresh pellets in A (but not in B) After another couple of days, if there is anything left in B I turn them into pellet porridge, and put fresh pellets in the Grub. Hope that makes sense. It seems very straightforward when I do it, much harder to write it down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted April 25, 2008 Author Share Posted April 25, 2008 That sounds very organised WitchHazel!! I must admit I do wonder about the pellets going off if they've been there a few days. So to chuck a bit of water and a lushious topping on them should ensure they get polished off very quickly!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 I've been adding warm water (from the cooled kettle, but not hot) to the pellets. The warm water soaks into the pellets much better than cold I find. Then dollop a bit of live yoghurt on top, garlic powder and bokashi bran for good measure. Mmmm sounds yummy Henwatch! Actually it sounds a bit like my muesli! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 Mmmm sounds yummy Henwatch! Actually it sounds a bit like my muesli! Ohhh nooooooo......actually once I've added powdered garlic it stinks..... My kids tell me off for making pellet porridge in the kitchen for the chooks instead of their school lunchboxes..... Mind you, my hens quite like my daughters museli leftovers mixed with yoghurt.....quite expensive tastebuds they've got Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joybelle Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 My chooks will only eat pellets if I make it into a porridge. I sometimes mash a banana up in it as welll also some fat free yogurt. Now and again I use porridge oats as well my local waitrose sell 1 kilo bags of it for 75p and it lasts ages. I know I spoil them but get a very good supply of big eggs!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted April 26, 2008 Author Share Posted April 26, 2008 Thanks for putting my mind at rest. I watched them today and they do eat the odd pellet - especially the ones that have fallen on the floor!! But in a porridge they scoff them with the greatest delight. Suppose the main thing is they are getting something down them!! Mind you they've been out & about today, and have had a very varied diet - bugs, slugs. worms - and my lovely mauve hardy geranium!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
