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

[piptiddlepip]

I got a bag of bran from the chook shop the other day. Now, up until now I've fed my girls pellets and they loved those and would turn their beaks up at anything else, as pellets was what they were used to at the farm, plus plants and insects in the garden. But now they are becoming "grown up girls" and are expanding their tastes somewhat and trying different things. I've found they go mad for sultanas and enjoy cut up grapes and now I'd like to try making them some "porridge" in the mornings.

 

I've seen some people refer to giving their chooks porridge, so how do I make it up? Do I just make the bran up with warm water? Do you stick anything else in it to make it more interesting?

 

Also, is it a bad idea giving them too much fruit? Will it upset their little tums? So far I have restricted the amount of treats they get and I never give them more than a couple of grapes cut up. I don't want my girls to get the squits (though judging by the enormous poos I had to clear off the back steps this morning there's no sign of that so far).

[The Dogmother]

You're right - too much fruit will give them the squits.

 

Basically, they need to have their pellets as the stable diet, and any treats later in the afternoon. I sometimes make up some porridge for mine with pellets, some oats, olive oil, omega seeds, raisins etc all soaked with hot water. I give them this when I put them back in the run before dusk.

[LJ's Chooks]

Claret, can i give them sunflower seeds and pine nuts.... my toddler's whym seems to have passed and now have cupboards full of them!!!!

[The Dogmother]

That's good for them LJ. Mine also get some Bokashi Bran - depends on what I have to hand/remember. In the winter it's good to add Citricidal and garlic powder.