Donna C Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 I'm thinking about the hang up ones you can buy. Trying to get some ideas for something new for them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Generally not, as they usually contain either nuts or fat. I will ask one of the mods to move this to the chickens section where it belongs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the bradley bunch Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 one of my chickens naughtily eats any 'wild bird seed' that falls to the ground from the feeder, but tbh the others (as greedy as they are) don't bother with it. they have tried it but don't seem to like it. i definetely wouldn't go out and buy wild bird food specifically for them. the one who does pinch it was rescued at 18 weeks old and we were told by the breeder that she was fed on wild bird seed , so we had to spend a couple of weeks weaning her off it - during which she had terrible diarrohea (poor thing ). since changing her diet to layers pellets her plummage looks so much better, she is more active, her eyes are brighter & her breathing is much improved (before she'd always have her beak open & sounded like a mini darth vader). there are lots of healthy treats you can feed them though ...what are they currently eating it? my girls love pecking at half a grapefruit, quartered oranges, grapes, raisins, tomatoes, apples (without the skin), dried mealworm, and as a very occasional favourite treat i blitz up a banana in the blender and soak a little bread in it for them . they don't really go for veg for some reason, and we've tried serving it in every way possible! i'd like to try them with some yoghurt next i think, as i've heard this has health benefits. we only give them 1 type of treat each day, and it's always in the afternoon so that they're filled up on their proper pellets instead of treats. they also have a handful of corn in the winter before bed to keep them warm through the night. are you wanting to give them something new because they're getting bored? or just to add variety? if they're in a run alot of the time and are getting bored then you could get a 'cage ball' to hang healthy treats in (fruit/veg), or simply hang up a brocolli or corn on the cob, or even a cabbage for them to peck at. this should keep them busy for a while! i also have a shiny toy (made specifically for chickens) hanging in my girls run, although they don't really bother with it because i'm at home all day so they FR most of time. omlet (i think) & flyte so fancy sell 'boredom busters', which are similar to the hanging bird feed blocks, but are made to suit the requirements of a chicken's diet. good luck & sorry for the long reply! (i didn't realise how much i'd written until i stopped to look at the screen!) hope it's been of some help anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 I keep a big bag of wild bird seed, and chuck a handful in the run to get them back in after free-ranging - it keeps them occupied as they scratch around for it. I wouldn't feed it as regular treat though. Why not hang up one of those square bird-feeders that are meant to hold a block of suet, and fill it with greens, veg peelings etc- it slows down the rate at which they can eat and gives them something to peck at. A whole cabbage on a string is quite a good toy, as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roobaloo Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Why not hang up one of those square bird-feeders that are meant to hold a block of suet, and fill it with greens, veg peelings etc- it slows down the rate at which they can eat and gives them something to peck at. That's what I do! (Though mine was an old hay cube designed for rodents...same principle though!) I cut big wide strips of leaves, large chunks of broccoli and a couple medium tomatoes and/or strawberries...Then hang it up so it swings wildly. The pieces are too big for them to pull it straight out, but they get little tasters! One full cube lasts a couple of days! If I have any live mealworms, I'll pop a few in the middle...the girls can here them moving so get really excited...and when they finally emerge or get shaken out, it ups the excitement!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 ......(before she'd always have her beak open & sounded like a mini darth vader). That's because when chickens eat fatty foods or too much carbohydrate, the fat builds up around their internal organs, putting a strain on their heart and air sacs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 That's because when chickens eat fatty foods or too much carbohydrate, the fat builds up around their internal organs, putting a strain on their heart and air sacs. Bit like us then My lot LOVE my home made version of Garvo treats but I use it only to get them in at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 A wee bit as a treat is fine, just so long as their layers feed make up most of their rations. Mine love those dried gammarus shrimps, but only get them as a treat when I have needed to medicate them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the bradley bunch Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 ......(before she'd always have her beak open & sounded like a mini darth vader). That's because when chickens eat fatty foods or too much carbohydrate, the fat builds up around their internal organs, putting a strain on their heart and air sacs. oh no, i hope this doesn't effect her long-term since we changed her diet as soon as she came into our care because she was so young hopefully it won't haven't gotten to the point of internal problems ...silly breeder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 She'll probably be OK, and all the healthier for it. Everyone has their own opinions on what they should be fed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the bradley bunch Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 thanks clare feel better now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 If her diet hasn't been brilliant, then you might want to try a bit of a good quality poultry tonic in the water - they will all benefit from it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 I bought some of those shrimps for my girls , only I left the container on the floor with the lid on,and my dog decided they were just too smelly to resist and chewed the container apart, and ate about 97% of them Bad girl So the girls only got the last few crumbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Funnily enough, my cat loves them too..... as I found out by accident Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 As a sepecial treat my chooks just love cottage cheese; especially the type with pineapple in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekita Posted October 19, 2020 Share Posted October 19, 2020 I have just read that you can make your own suet to give hens in the winter to help with warmth and retaining protein etc., then read on here that you shouldn't give them fats. The recipe includes lard/coconut oil/home made fats. I'm now rather confused because I wanted to make this to help keep them warm over winter. They normally have layers pellets and vegetable & fruit scraps from March to October, then we rest them on corn and vegetable & fruit scraps October to March. I feel they need something more over Winter and thought the home made suet would be the answer - thoughts please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 Mekita, The Little Feed Company sell Poultry Porridge "A warming and nutritious treat for winter" My girls love the Gourmet Grit and the Super Seeds but I've not bought them the porridge yet. ( sorry, not sure what has happened to my fonts 😕 ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
