Rachel33pink Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Hi I'm sure I read a thread about giving s"Ooops, word censored!"s of tuna to chickens, does any one know if this is OK? Also what about cheese? I was going to give kids leftovers to them!! Thanks Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 tuna is very good for chickens recovering from a moult, it is a good source of protein. Tuna isnt going to harm chooks if given occasionally as a treat, they will love it. Make sure it is rinsed well if it is in brine/oil/salty water. Not sure about cheese!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Pimlott Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 We dont feed tuna I should imagine eggs would taste fishy & you wouldnt see a chicken fishing for fish would you although i would like to see it ....imagine!!!!! I also think it may be a bit stogey in the crop Then again you done see them in Tesco's (not with feathers anyway! ) buying cheese, but i do cube & give them the hard bit on the end now & again! Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Quite a few of us feed them tuna after a moult to give them some extra protein to help speed up the growth of new feathers. I have never found it makes the eggs taste fishy, not have I seen it remarked upon by others. I always rinse the brine off, otherwise it would be too salty. It hasn't caused any crop problems in my girls either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Pimlott Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Just saying I wouldnt like to feed it really.. If they are fed a good quality food stuff & are in good health then they should get through the moult just fine on their own I let nature do its thing.. its so clever However this blooming weather at the mo Mother Nature better get her act together... HAIL STONES IN JULY!!!!! K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 All a matter of personal preference. I find a protein boost makes a big difference after a moult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 I find a protein boost makes a big difference after a moult. Our Ella went though a moult and a nasty lice incident just after Christmas, after getting some tuna and some tasty mealworms as a treat into her she was like a different chicken! She now even lays eggs (when we thought she could no longer do so!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieSB Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Feeding tuna packed in spring water (no brine) was recommended to us at our Hen Part for the moult period. I doubt the eggs would taste fishy, any more than they taste grassy or mealwormy (what does change the taste of eggs, have people found??). And at least some of the brands of chicken feed I looked into before I decided on one, as I recall, have fish meal in them, so fish protein seems to be recognised as okay if not downright good for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 I was going to give kids leftovers to them!! Thanks Rachel I've not given mine tuna or dairy yet. But mine do eat all my kids leftovers. (but not too much as you will get less eggs). Mine get my kids left over lunchbox pasta (plain), cooked rice, baked beans (rinsed), salad, apple cores, jacket potato skins, bits of cooked veg the kids have pushed around their plates etc etc. So my children's leftovers go to a good cause. Sorry, I'll correct myself, I have given mine dairy, but only probiotic live yogurt for sour crop problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 I've gave my chickens cheese, no ill effects. They seem to like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel33pink Posted July 7, 2008 Author Share Posted July 7, 2008 Thanks, I gave the chooks some jacket potato with a tiny bit of cheese and tuna and sweetcorn - my kids don't leave much!! but the weather was so disgusting I haven't been to check to see if its gone. I'll find out in the morning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lapinou Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 I always rinse the brine off, otherwise it would be too salty. You can get tuna in plain water - we get it because I worry about the salt content for my children, and the oil is just minging! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Yes, I know. I go for the dolphin friendly variety too. That is an important consideration for me. It does render it more expensive, but...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 I bought tuna in oil because I thought the salt content would be less, but when I looked there was exactly the same amount of salt (far too much) in a tin with oil as in a tin with brine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
