chickenopolis Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 It's a question I often ponder as our girls peck the back door in the morning for their early morning grape! As well as the Omlet complete food that they eat (it is sometimes a bit hit and miss, but the amount of food does generally go down during the week so they are eating it), I supplement some of their food with a "treat". Please don't shout at me... As I am out at work all day (Monday to Friday), they have a run out and free range in the morning of about 20 minutes and they are then in their run all day, so I give them a little "day box" which can consist of the following (but not all at once).. Grit, grapes, mealworms, corn grit,sweetcorn, cherry tomatoes, spinach, lettuce, the occasional strawberry. They don't have all of that every day, just a small combination of a few of them... that's OK isn't it???? They are extremely vocal, but get more beautiful every day - they are still laying each day (sorry for those of you that have to buy your eggs at the minute), and they seem to be filling out - so I think I am doing OK, but would appreciate some advice from experienced Omleteers. Just a bit anxious, but loving everyminute of being with the chooks Sarah x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Ours get a few bits in the morning as well. I know in theory they should have them in the afternoon/evening - but we don't see them then now the clocks have changed! We only give them a little - for example this morning they had a quarter of a small cabbage hung up for them to peck at - and for them to get some greens. Then they also get dried mealworms to get them back into their run before I leave for work. And to answer your original question - I am not sure that Chickens think it is possible to have too many grapes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 I won't shout at you. I love giving my hens treats and they love getting them..... Like you, I give them grapes, mealworms, sweet corn, mixed corn, pine nut kernals are a favourite, tuna fish, boiled eggs, muesli with yogurt I mix chicken feed and bokashi with this. They never over eat, some don't like this and some don't like that. It's hilarious. I'm all for the odd treat. As long as they are eating things that are good for their health. They raid the veggie plot for greens and they free range on grass. I do only give treats in the afternoon though. Not easy when you are working I know. They do like cake, but that is a real treat. Every single one of them goes bonkers if they see Cake. .... My DH has been known to sneek them some pine nuts at the kitchen door, which is verboten Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 I think given the option chickens would eat grapes until they burst Mine get a handful of my homemade chicken muesli each morning when I let them out (thats muesli for chickens not made of chickens by the way) and on Sundays half a lettuce or sprout tree. In the afternoons they get a tea time treat too- either sweetcorn, tuna, soaked bread, spaghetti or some grapes (hand fed - very dangerous as I have to count my fingers afterwards ). I've always thought that if they were fed too many treats that they would stop laying (or just get very fat and waddly). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara.F Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 I have a large grapevine in my garden My girls have now fully mastered the art of scrambling up the vine...scoffing all the way....to a point out of reach where they can eat grapes and bask in sunshine to their hearts content No ill effects so far and they've enjoyed an annual four week 'grape fest' for the last four years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 I'm glad we're not the only people who have to count our fingers when giving grapes to the chickens! They turn from gentle placid little chooks into vultures, nay even velociraptors! I don't give them treats every day, just almost every day, and they don't have grapes every day. They get chicken pellets made into a mash with 1/3 corn and poultry spice added in the mornings, then they are made to stay in and eat pellets for a bit before being let out. When worming I add the wormer to their mash. I give them handfuls of corn with a few mealworms in on occasions through the day. I get them to come and eat it out of my hand. Then when I need to get them into the run, I do the same thing but this time put my hand into the run and shut the door behind them. They get the occasional bit of broccoli and sometimes the dregs of our wholegrain cereal packet. They get an awful lot of FR time most days though, so they aren't short of greens. I have noticed they seem to be collecting dead snails in their run so presumably this is some kind of chicky treat. So far I have had no problems and get an egg a day from Blodwyn (the other two haven't come into lay yet, although Megan did a yolky poo with a partial shell today so is likely to lay soon). DH is much weaker than I am when it comes to chicky treats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 I have a large grapevine in my garden My girls have now fully mastered the art of scrambling up the vine...scoffing all the way....to a point out of reach where they can eat grapes and bask in sunshine to their hearts content No ill effects so far and they've enjoyed an annual four week 'grape fest' for the last four years My girls would be so jealous of your girls if they knew !! at "grape fest" My girls are getting less treats too now with it being dark by the time I get home from work, so I am trying to sprinkle mealworms in the run, so they can forage for them during the day. They get nicer treats like grapes on the days I am home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 from my observations, they self regulate all they eat. I have had several girls I have been trying to get to eat, scoff untill they decide enough then head for the grit. seen them eat plain wheat then head off for oats etc. And i don't like giving treats at night as it tends to mean messy beds! Mine have free access to mixed corn now and head straight for mash 1st thing and las thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Well, only my humble opinion, but . . I think when they start wee'ing & poop'ing wine Ms Tilythinksatleastthechookshavethemostwonderful'naturalish''healthyish' mediterraneandiet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Well, only my humble opinion, but . . I think when they start wee'ing & poop'ing wine Ms Tilythinksatleastthechookshavethemostwonderful'naturalish''healthyish' mediterraneandiet I liked that!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bexbex Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 I have a large grapevine in my garden My girls have now fully mastered the art of scrambling up the vine...scoffing all the way....to a point out of reach where they can eat grapes and bask in sunshine to their hearts content No ill effects so far and they've enjoyed an annual four week 'grape fest' for the last four years hahaha that made me laugh! Bit like jack and the bean stalk I always feed mine left overs in the morning now as when we have our tea now it's dark and they've gone off to bed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
House MD 221B Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 Thats good to know, I always thought it would cause runny poos etc. now i dont have to feel guilty about sneaking them the extra grape when sal's not looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
