tara Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 We brought some lard ages ago to make fat balls for the girls.But you know how it is you have good intensions but forget to do it .So today l thought about doing them again l just feel so sorry for them as its so cold out there.So l put the lard in the microwave then mixed in some layers pellets,sweetcorn,spinach,cornflakes, Put them in the fridge and they have turn out really good and the girls love them yum yum I also hung up 3 cuttle fish which they love and cooked some brussel sprouts and spinach so at least they have somthing to think about other then the cold http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n214/tara_014/chickenstuff001.jpg what do you think Here are some of my girls this is a summer pic http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n214/tara_014/run007.jpg Im gona do more and put in some oyster shell plus add some extra yummy things for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 I'm really sorry to rain on your parade after all your hard work, but I am sure I have read that you shouldn't give chickens fat balls. There is too much fat for them which can be very damaging to their health. Someone feel free to correct me if I am wrong. I just know that I would want to know if I was giving my girls something I shouldn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 think you are right. But I am sure these will not have hurt them as a one off. I expect there is somethiing else other than lard you can use to keep it stuck together. that said I guess it depends HOW much it takes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 I agree, Space Chick. Too much fat is not good for them unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 yes... put Tara won't have harmed them, just this time? Will she? Or will she need to keep a eye out for anything? What do they use to keep Pekka blocks together? Then Tara can make some healthy non lard balls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share Posted January 3, 2010 Oh dear l did'nt know that l thought it would help them while it was so cold.What can l use as a healthy option to stick them together Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 You wont have done any harm as a one off I am sure There was a recipe for pekka blocks on here a while back, I will see if I can find it.. Edit - here you go: You will need a stick of some sort, garden cane works well, cut a piece of cane and drill a hole near one end for hanging it up. Next collect the ingredients you want to add, mixed corn, pellets etc. Crack a fresh egg into a bowl, mix the egg with a few dessert spoons of flour & a drop of water. So that it forms a runny paste. Cut a long wide piece of kitchen tin foil. Then in the bowl that you have the mixed egg & flour, add the mixed corn etc, mix it all up so the mixed corn & pellets start to stick together. Give it a good mix so that everything is coated. Spoon the mix onto the tin foil to make a long sausage shape, you can add the stick through the middle at this stage. Then wrap the foil around the ingredients and press firmly so it sticks together to form a sausage like shape. Then put it in the oven at 120 degrees for an hour to let it dry out slowly. Check it's hard, if not leave a bit longer then let it cool and let the birds test it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 bet there will be a few of us trying that recipe now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I have used that recipe a few times now and the chickens love them. I use metal tent pegs and they work perfectly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 You wont have done any harm as a one off I am sure There was a recipe for pekka blocks on here a while back, I will see if I can find it.. Edit - here you go: You will need a stick of some sort, garden cane works well, cut a piece of cane and drill a hole near one end for hanging it up. Next collect the ingredients you want to add, mixed corn, pellets etc. Crack a fresh egg into a bowl, mix the egg with a few dessert spoons of flour & a drop of water. So that it forms a runny paste. Cut a long wide piece of kitchen tin foil. Then in the bowl that you have the mixed egg & flour, add the mixed corn etc, mix it all up so the mixed corn & pellets start to stick together. Give it a good mix so that everything is coated. Spoon the mix onto the tin foil to make a long sausage shape, you can add the stick through the middle at this stage. Then wrap the foil around the ingredients and press firmly so it sticks together to form a sausage like shape. Then put it in the oven at 120 degrees for an hour to let it dry out slowly. Check it's hard, if not leave a bit longer then let it cool and let the birds test it out Thankyou redwing l will try that today will have to go to the farm shop as have run out out of corn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Thanks for the recipe Redwing. I think I might have a go at this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Thanks for posting that Redwing, I'll give it a go tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 ......and if you have leftover fat balls, the wild garden birds will enjoy them. They need the extra fat mid winter, whereas it's too much for our hens. Redwing's recipe looks tasty for your girls, let us know how you get along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I'd love to take credit for the recipe but pinched it off another forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 We won't tell anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I made some today. I used the tent peg suggested by xScrunchie, and they worked well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 I've made some without pegs/poles & am going to put them out in fat ball baskets or just in their bowls...............I'll report back their reactions Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Made 3, smells delish, in the runs - I think only the Eggy babes have been tempted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emchook Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 looks like a yummy recipe ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
