Part 0800.0005

[Luvachicken]

When I had my other chickens they didn't really get much in the way of treats, but with my new little ones I have already found that they like melon and apple, but now I'm unsure how much fruit and veg they should have. They get fed Garvo layers pellets so theoretically don't need anything else but then they don't get to eat any plants from the garden, so do they need their greens ?

[Redwing]

green leafy veg and grass is very beneficial so once they have filled up on pellets they could have a daily amount of these

 

Anything with natural sugar in shouldnt be fed quite as liberally, a small amount a few times a week maybe

[Luvachicken]

Thanks for that Redwing. I think I will stick to all things green instead.

[squiffs]

Mine have layers pellets until either: 6:30/7pm when they get some treats (either grapes or mealworms usually, from a designated treat bowl)

 

OR

 

they are let out to free range in the afternoon (after I've deemed they've eaten enough of their ration to be allowed to free range) and I still put the grub in the pen with them and funnily enough Babs still scoffs from it pretty much constantly despite grass being available.

 

Whether they get treats or not in the evening on free range days largely depends on if I remember to or think they can 'cope' with it

 

I give mine the rinds of any melon slices, they like pecking out the remaining flesh, or white seedless grapes sliced in half, they go crazy for them!

[Chortle Chook]

Now here's a confession . . . I regard my layers mash as standby food only and give my chooks lunch every day. This takes the form of a base such as pasta or rice, greens such as lettuce or rocket, fruit including apple cores, cherries, blueberries, grapes, and a few treaty bits such as meal worms. My neighbour says that when she hears the call of 'chicky lunch' she feels like running round too They (my chickens) don't seem fat however. Guess that as they are FR they run it off. They also use a lot of henergy in jumping up to get young leaves off my roses and mini apple trees. That's their daily keep fit class.

[Egluntyne]

The main part of their diet should be layers pellets. Too much in the way of fruit can give them the squitts.

[Chortle Chook]

Oh, that's what's happening. My OH will be most grateful for this info. Poor chookies - reduced rations for you

[beach chick]

a pumpkin in season will keep them - and you - amused for hours!!

but yes, layers pellets should be their basic diet.