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

[mictogirl]

Bought some grapes over the weekend for my own consumption, but since they were a bit of a duff bunch, DH decided to try them on the chickens. They predictably went mental for them, fighting over them, even though DH was giving out plenty to all! They now flock to him as soon as he goes out in the garden, obviously having gained the reputation of 'Bringer of Grapes'

 

However, DH reckons he's read in one of our chicken books that we shouldn't be giving chickens grapes because they are bad for them - any thoughts? I know from reading on here that they are a favourite treats for most girls, so what's the story? Is he wrong??

[quickcluck]

Mine lurve them!!! I think that is the general concensus on here! Give them grapes! Not too many though, too many treat = no

[Christian]

Mine love grapes too, but get them rarely. They don't erm.....agree with the other end

[mictogirl]

Ah, thanks - guess that makes sense, too many give me a tummy ache too

 

They get spoiled with lots of different treats at the moment (plus pellets of course) but it's certainly not affecting egg production, all 5 ex-batts laid again today and we just had the best EVER poached egg on toast for tea

[Egluntyne]

It is better to halve them as they are a bit on the large side.

 

I don't give mine too many as they get the squitts afterwards.

[dancing cloud]

Mine get halves too - usually about 4 halves each (plus whatever they can steal from someone else!)

 

Grapes - they'd sell their souls for them

[chickenanne]

Mine love love LOVE grapes. They're a brilliant way of getting them to be a bit tamer, too. As everyone else has said, not too many as they'll get the runs, (and also v embarassing to speak to the bank about not being able to pay mortgage due to excessive grape purchases for chickens...!!!).

[Gallina]

I don't think it is necessary to halve the grapes for hens, unless they are babies. A hen can swallow a whole mouse, so a grape is nothing.

 

But not too many, for the reasons given.

[beach chick]

I've never halved them either, they seem to like picking them up whole and then demolishing them - or trying to before someone else nicks the bits from under their beak!!

[Tilly Bud]

My Betty used to swallow grapes whole, it was very funny.

[Aga n Chickens]

OH only has to shout from the kitchen door "Who wants a grape ?" and the chooks stop whatever they are doing and race over to him.

 

They can no longer be coaxed back into their run with a dish of corn after they've been out for a while and it starts getting dusk I have to sneak back to the kitchen and return with a small bunch of grapes hidden behind my back to throw into the run. All chooks are back in like a flash and too busy playing grape rugby to notice me closing the door behind them

 

Regards

 

Christine