3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[mole]

as per title really. i know you can feed tuna and fishy cat food. what sort of pluses/beans can they have? i know beans need to be soaked but do they have to be cooked as well for chickens?

 

how often do they need protein added to their diets? really they should have enough as they eat plenty of layers pellets which is a complete food and guess has protein in it.

 

this is due to feather pulling mainly by one chicken but i have seen them all doing it.

 

please help!!

[karena]

I just use cat food as I have a cat so they get what she turns her nose up at. The also had some soup this evening, as we had bought a tin of soup with meat in it by accident.

[Dizzy-Deb]

I just use cat food as I have a cat so they get what she turns her nose up at. .

 

ooh thats interesting, our cat is a fuss puss too... so what she leaves I can give the chucks seems a shame to waste it. Can it be any cat food ?? xx

[karena]

I'm not sure, but I think its meant to be given sparingly if there might be a protein problem. I know some people say not to give meat but then its recommended for protein feather pecking stuff. They do love it though.

[Dizzy-Deb]

ah I missed that bit about the feather pulling and adding protein to the diet. I have so much to learn, what can and cant have.

[Chucky Mama]

Have you looked into the other things that can cause feather pulling like environment and boredom? If they are having a balanced diet I would perhaps add a suitable poultry supplement and rule out other contributory factors.

[The Dogmother]

I agree with Chucky Mama, look for a possible cause first and pop a bumper bit on the bully.

 

Be aware that while extra protein is OK for a short while (no longer than a month) it can cause health problems in the long run, the least of which is malformed feathers, the worst being kidney problems.

 

While many people feed meat and fish products to their chickens (they are omnivorous after all) please bear in mind that DEFRA (bless 'em) does not condone the feeding of any animal by product to poultry.

 

*sermon over*

[Sheilaz]

A local breeder suggested supplementing their pellets with a bag of quail feed, as the protein is a higher concentration. I preferred doing this to buying cat food or other extras, and was pleased with the result.

[Laid in GB]

Not sure about this, but the gym instructor said...

 

""Baked beans are like a super food, they contain fair amounts of protein and carbs.""

 

Perhaps thats a veggy version of getting protein.

[The Dogmother]

A local breeder suggested supplementing their pellets with a bag of quail feed, as the protein is a higher concentration. I preferred doing this to buying cat food or other extras, and was pleased with the result.

 

I tend to use growers feed combined with some dried gammarus shrimps, plus a good quality poultry tonic in the water - they love the shrimps and it seems to suit them.

[chickencam]

There must be protein in mealworms, and they love those. Mine get a handful of mixed corn, and some mealworms about an hour before bed.

 

One of mine loves cat food and will run to the back door as soon as she is let out in the hope of a treat, but I think it makes her eggs taste a bit odd. i try to keep her away from it.

[The Dogmother]

They are high in protein Liz, I think it's 30-something %, those gammarus shrimps are 47% though and they go mad for them.

[Roobaloo]

 

While many people feed meat and fish products to their chickens (they are omnivorous after all) please bear in mind that DEFRA (bless 'em) does not condone the feeding of any animal by product to poultry.

 

Wish someone would tell my girls. We had a BBQ earlier in the summer...I had just sat down with my thick juicy steak when Toph came bundling in, snatched it and shot off round the garden, with Suki in hot pursuit....with me hot on their heels!!!!

[Lavenders_Blue]

 

While many people feed meat and fish products to their chickens (they are omnivorous after all) please bear in mind that DEFRA (bless 'em) does not condone the feeding of any animal by product to poultry.

 

Wish someone would tell my girls. We had a BBQ earlier in the summer...I had just sat down with my thick juicy steak when Toph came bundling in, snatched it and shot off round the garden, with Suki in hot pursuit....with me hot on their heels!!!!

 

Oops!

[Jools]

Dried mealworms are around 50% protein.

 

Breeders pellets are higher in protein than growers pellets (18% vs 16%) but the quail pellets sound like a good alternative.

 

It's a good idea to feed something that looks and tastes like their normal pellets to avoid them getting picky about what they eat. Not that any self respecting chicken would hold out for mealworms of course!!

[Egluntyne]

Not sure about this, but the gym instructor said...

 

""Baked beans are like a super food, they contain fair amounts of protein and carbs.""

 

Perhaps thats a veggy version of getting protein.

 

 

I'd be worried about the salt and sugar, or artificial sweetener content in baked beans.

 

A can of chickpeas, well rinsed would be a good alternative.