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

[HelenR]

Hello there! I have recently taken delivery of my three new chooks - and up to now everything is going fantastically well. Hubby has spent the past week building them an extended new run and they appear to be enjoying the extra room!

 

My question is this - when I picked up my girls, the breeder suggested that the best thing to feed them was mixed corn, so I took his advice and they have been eating this for the past two weeks..(along with afternoon treats!)

 

Having regularly read this forum, I am now wondering whether or not I am doing the right thing? Should Mixed Corn only be fed as an afternoon treat? Am I okay to keep feeding them this or should I change them onto Layers Pellets? Any advice would be gratefully received - I want to make sure that I'm doing the best for my lovely girls!

 

Many thanks

 

Helen

[daj198]

Hi Helen, welcome to the forum!

 

Definitely switch to layer pellets or mash. Corn heats them up and in the Summer they could die of over-heating. Also, corn doesn't have much calcium etc in so your girls might start laying soft shelled eggs. I think chickens are only fed corn if they are meat birds and so don't need the calcium do much.

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Edited May 28, 2008 by Guest

[Troy]

No I believe you're right daj198!

 

They wont be getting all the right nutrients they need and pellets or mash should be there main feed with mixed corn given as a treat every afternoon.

Corn is also very fattening and should be given in moderation. See what others say. You'll get all the info you need on here!

 

Troy

[chelsea]

yes, chickens love corn, but it does make them fat!

 

We only give a yoghurt sized pot full between 4 chooks late in the afternoon. hens would eat it all day if they could - they love it!!

[daj198]

Yey, I'm so glad I wasn't giving bad advice! Maybe it's the fat that makes them get too hot, I'm sure I read it has a heating effect on them. It may be it just has loads of energy in it.

 

Hope this has helped Helen

[HelenR]

Many thanks guys.... I'll pop out and buy some pellets tomorrow - here's hoping they don't turn their beaks up at it, having got used to Mixed Corn over the past two weeks.... Really appreciate your advice. Helen

[Egluntyne]

If they won't eat their pellets, it would be best for them if you kept them in their run for a few days and give them nothing but pellets and water.

 

They won't starve.

 

I would cut the corn out of their diet until they are well used to the pellets and then just offer a handful as a treat in the evening.

[Lewis]

I give them half and half layers and mixed corn mixed together.

[superjules]

Hybrids need a diet made up of at least 80% layers pellets/mash for optimum health and egg-laying. Pure breeds you may be able to get away with 50%. Layers food is nutritionally balanced to give them exactly what they need.

[Egluntyne]

I give them half and half layers and mixed corn mixed together.

 

I tried that when I got my 2nd lot of 4 girls who were nearly new.

 

They daintily picked out all the corn and left the pellets, so they had to go cold turkey.

 

If you'll pardon the expression.

[Laura & CTB]

They daintily picked out all the corn and left the pellets, so they had to go cold turkey.

 

If you'll pardon the expression.