FlyingRamses Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 Hi Does anyone know if I need to be in any way changing my hens diet as they get older? My first three hens are 4 years old now and are not really laying eggs anymore, just the odd thin shelled one and they are definitely slowing down in the garden. Quite a sad time for me having had them for so long and I just want to ensure their last few months are as comfortable as possible. Thanks, FR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 Hi FT, lovely to see you again If the older ones are kept separate then they'd benefit from growers pellets which have less calcium and more protein for body condition If they are with the rest of the flock then I'd stick with layers pellets, they certainly wont do them any harm and its less faff to deal with just one feed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 I have an few elderly ex batts that are going crazy for my growers pellets, I'm leaving them too it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostock422 Posted May 29, 2011 Share Posted May 29, 2011 you can keep them on layers pellets if you want, but as they're not laying you could give them more treats as it's not going to effect they're egg production. Corn on the cob is always a good choice (cooked obv.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 . Corn on the cob is always a good choice (cooked obv.) Sorry, why cooked? I feed mine corn on the cob raw, by hanging it up in their cage and they play swingball with it It's never occurred to me to cook it...should I not be doing this? fortunately no ill effects so far.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 I aways give mine raw corn cobs. I don't bother to take off the outer husks, they soon find their way through and dmolishg everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Ours have had raw corn on the cob.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Always have raw corn on the cob here too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanTheDiver Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Mine always have raw Corn on the Cob too, they make short work of it too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerryegg Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 I'm worried now. My original Omlet Gingernut must be nearly 4 and along with 3 maran hybrids who are about 18 months younger is laying well. Goes to bed much earlier than the others and is still top hen, little sign of age and has only had one partial moult. I feed layers pellets and veggy bits and pieces. They are in a run. I also use poultry spice but no other additives.Hopefully she will be with me a lot longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostock422 Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 . Corn on the cob is always a good choice (cooked obv.) Sorry, why cooked? I feed mine corn on the cob raw, by hanging it up in their cage and they play swingball with it It's never occurred to me to cook it...should I not be doing this? fortunately no ill effects so far.. Cooked mainly because its left overs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingRamses Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 Thanks all for the advice, glad it is a case of keeping them on the layers, that is what they enjoy the most. As for corn, they love it, the fresh stuff and the harder dried type of corn. Just need to keep the bantams off too much of it as they continue to lay lovely blue eggs!! Dreading them keeling over having had them for so long, they love mooching around the garden with me and my colleagues are amused when I tell them how much I enjoy going home at the end of the day to hug a hen . . . . I am the strange one in the office!! Thanks again all! FR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 As for corn, they love it, the fresh stuff and the harder dried type of corn. Just need to keep the bantams off too much of it as they continue to lay lovely blue eggs!! Does feeding corn change the colour of eggs or shouldn't it be fed to bantams? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingRamses Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 Not in my case, the bantie eggs have always been blue but I know excess feeding of treats like corn can impact egg production. I think the corn fed chickens you can buy in supermarkets are force fed corn for months, hence the yellowy flesh, would never buy one knowing what the poor old hen has been through! FR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
