4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[lisaroo2]

of a treat do I give the girls? They get layers pellets 24/7 and then some sort of treat in the afternoon. At the moment they like boiled potato peelings and mashed potato. I've given them cooked rice today with abit of corn mixed in for the first time and they've wolfed it down. The question is do I fill the bowl up or just give them small amounts. They keep looking at me pleadingly for more...please help, am now under pressure from 3 chooks with evil eyes

[foreveryoung]

mine have pellets avalible all the time, corn, well my 2 kids normally see to that and the other stuff every now and again!

 

 

they love grapes!!

[Tara.F]

I believe the rule of thumb is 'one handful of grain per bird'

 

That is what I allow my girls anyway.

If they have potatoes they forfeit their corn. Fat hens, while pleasing to look at are prone to some terrible health problems

 

A good bunch of greens however, uncooked and strung up for them to peck at will keep them entertained, won't make them fat and is very good for them. You can give greens (spinach, any brassica leaves etc) whenever you like

[lisaroo2]

Thanks Tara!

 

I presume that the 'handful of grain' in my case, rice, would be uncooked? Is so they can have some more! They will love there mum as I wasn't that generous with the rice!

[Tara.F]

not sure about rice

doesn't that swell up inside?

 

when I say grain I mean the mixed corn available in petshops

[lisaroo2]

The rice is cooked and was really swollen when I gave it to the girls. It was more like a cake.They've got plenty of water, just hope I've done the right thing

 

Worried chook mum...

[Stevie]

Provided the rice has been cooked-it wont swell up anymore once eaten.

[lisaroo2]

Thanks Stevie!

 

You've put my mind to rest! Want to give the girls a nice variety of things to eat but obviously don't want to make em overweight/ill etc. I'm sure in a few months I'll look back and laugh at some of the questions I've asked over the past few weeks.

[jomaxsmith]

I believe the rule of thumb is 'one handful of grain per bird'

 

The guy at our local poultry centre who I consider to be a chicken guru reckons that you shouldn't give too much mixed corn. He says because it takes a long time to digest the hen feels really full and neglects to eat the quantity of pellets or mash that they need to go through the night and to keep healthy and laying well.

 

He allows one handful for his nine hens, three times a week only. In general he said to be sparing of 'hard' treats that take a long time to digest but 'watery' treats like fruit and veg can be given more freely

 

Jo

[lisaroo2]

They don't seem to be that bothered by the corn that much. It was more the amount of cooked rice that I was concerned about. Everytime I go out to them they look to see if I've got anymore!

[jomaxsmith]

It was more the amount of cooked rice that I was concerned about

 

I think rice is like sweets for chickens - they can't get enough! I figure it's empty calories (high GI or whatever) same as it would be for us so not good to have too much of it.

 

Jo