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

[katieadams]

Hi everyone, only had our girls for a fortnight but I'm wondering how much should we be giving by way of treats? I've been giving 2 or 3 handfuls of corn in the afternoon (but I have really small hands!!) plus whatever tasty morsels come from the kitchen that day - the tops off strawberries today, leaves off a cauli yesterday etc etc.

 

I'm sure they'd eat their own weight in corn if I let them but they seem more self controlled with all other treats, just leaving what they don't fancy. They're not eating that much of their pellets though, which I thought was ok because they're not laying yet and I read that they don't eat much before they lay, but now I'm thinking maybe I should cut back on the treats to get them to eat more pellets? We all have to eat our tea before we get pudding so maybe they should too What do you think?

[Egluntyne]

One handful is enough for 3 hens.

 

I would cut right back and only give the corn in the afternoon to lure them back into the run, and so that they don't hold out for treats and avoid their pellets.

[Redwing]

Corn is quite fattening so I give very little corn mixed with wheat and a bit of barley but not every day

 

I throw in greens - pulled up weeds, veg plant trimmings etc prety regularly and don't worry about the amount because I don't think they are fattening and my girls don't often get to free range

[reggy81]

When we first got our girls we gave them loads of treats and spoiled them and then they wouldnt eat their pellets. So we cut right back until they started eating their pellets again and then give them treats in the afternoon, but just a few!

[puddleduck]

I worried about this too! to start with they really didn't each much of their pellets, I often give them a small amount of corn and what ever green stuff I can't find for them (all in the afternoon!) however they are now eating loads more pellets... perhaps they maybe thinking about laying now....perhaps!

[katieadams]

Thanks - they'll be gutted though!!

 

My friend advised a small mug of corn a day (she did say that was 'more than generous' so maybe I should have taken that as 'too much'!), and said they should eat about about 2 small mugs of pellets a day - I'll cut down on the corn (a lot!) but is she right about how much of the pellets they should be eating?

 

They get loads of greens from freeranging a bit and stuff from the kitchen, and my two little ones like to hand feed them through the run bars - they're not brave enough to do it when they're out They especially like my aquilegia and dandelions, I think it's a good trade off!

[Groovychook]

They especially like my dandelions

 

I'm so jealous! Wish my girls would hoover up my dandelions for me! I've tried to train them to see them as a treat but there's no fooling them

[wiblick]

Katie

 

from what I've read they should/can eat anywhere between 100 and 160g (that's 4 to 6 ounces) of pellets a day each.

 

Why not weigh out 400g (round about a pound) of pellets, see how many mugs that fills and then see what they get through. They should probably be eating at least 100g (4 oz) each.

 

Green treats won't affect things too much, as others have said, but grain treats should be limited to 10% of their overall intake - so about 10g each a day... the equivalent of a very small bowl of cereal between all of them. (you know the amount you get in those tiny multipack boxes?).

[katieadams]

Great thanks Wiblick - off to get the scales out now. Never thought of that!

 

I reckon two of my handfuls are about a little cereal packet's worth (closed hands rather than cupped) but I'll weigh it all out properly and see now I have a measurement to go from!

 

I won't tell them it was you lot who told me to cut back the corn, they'll be well miffed!!!

[wiblick]

I won't tell them it was you lot who told me to cut back the corn, they'll be well miffed!!!

 

Yes indeed, we don't want them pecking at our doors!

[lisaroo2]

My lot have pellets available all day and get 'treats' in the afternoon/when we get home. Don't go out with porridge for them and thats it, you get the silent treatment and ignored!!

[katieadams]

Yeah that's what I was doing, only over-generously I think Might make them wait til tea time from now on

[The Dogmother]

The recommended measurement (as quoted by The Smallholder Group) is an egg cup full per chicken per day. Only feed treats in the late afternoon, but then the others have already covered that.

 

In the summer, I switch to Indigo Wheat (from WigglyWigglers) as a treat - more protein and less fat.

[katieadams]

Is it still an eggcupful of that, Claret? I just measured out one of my handfuls and it's almost exactly one eggcup full, so 2-3 was about right by that measurement! I don't know exactly what kind of corn it is I have - my friend gave me a bag of the corn she gives her chickens (along with her eglu and everything else I needed, she's a proper star!) but it's your common-or-garden stuff. The indigo wheat looks good though I might have to get some of that!

[The Dogmother]

I probably tend to under-feed them treats TBH and only give them to get the chooks back in the run at night.

 

Corn is best in the winter when they need the extra heat it produces to keep warm. I use the wheat in the summer because it's 'leaner' and full of goodness.

 

Smallholder make a lovely super mixed corn that has all sorts of bits in it; split peas, grit and lots of yummy looking stuff. It comes in 5kg and 20kg bags, but the smaller size is enough to be going on with.

 

Lucky you being given the whole kit and kaboodle!

[katieadams]

I know it was a payback for a lot of babystuff I gave her so we're both winners My daughters had outgrown the buggy and cot, her flock had outgrown the eglu, perfect!! I only had to buy the run extension

[*mummy_hen*]

People say you shouldn't overtreat...which i don't. But i must admit i do like my girls to have a little treat each day. This might be a corn on the cob, a handfull of mealworms or a little spaghetti, but they love it and it is so entertaining to watch them running around excitedly.

 

I would think a handfull or so of corn would be enough but maybe spread it over the day?

 

Grapes is a favourtie and has a high water content so lovely for them in the heat!! I wouldn't worry too much, it certainly doesn't sound like you are going overboard!!