mictogirl Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 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?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Mine lurve them!!! I think that is the general concensus on here! Give them grapes! Not too many though, too many treat = no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Mine love grapes too, but get them rarely. They don't erm.....agree with the other end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mictogirl Posted December 1, 2008 Author Share Posted December 1, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 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...!!!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 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!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilly Bud Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 My Betty used to swallow grapes whole, it was very funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aga n Chickens Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
