Edge Wife Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 Hello, My girls would sell heir souls for sweetcorn and blueberries and they loooove grapes, but they don't seem to want to eat anything green other than grass. One week into chicken keeping and we have a virtually bald lawn on our hands which means we are going to have to move them on to chippings for a week or so to give the grass a chance to recover. Does anyone have any tips on how to supplement the green bit of their diet when we do this? By the way, my hubby mows the neighbour's lawn and we take the grass clippings. we thought we'd be clever and give them to the chooks but they know the difference and are only interested in freshly pecked home grown produce! Many thanks, Edge Wife x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 mine love most things green - try spinach, the outer leaves from cauliflower, or broccoli? They also love cucumber - in fact, I can't think of much that I've tried them with, that they don't like. They wouldn't eat the hard white bit in Swiss Chard (neither would I!) I don't know exactly what they get from the greens, much the same as we do I guess - maybe it's just a case of trying different things, or maybe they will eat them if they don't have the option of grass instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 I always have to supplement my girls diet as I dont have a lawn but they do love anything green as long as it's been cooked first ...........especially cabbages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 Mine like almost anything green, but would sell their souls for curly kale! Try to steer clear of grass cuttings though - they can get stuck in their crops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 mine are picky with their greens. Broccoli, spinach and cucumber (its green isnt it!), and peas gets a thumbs up from the chickens. thumbs down to cabbage though....mine wont touch it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 Mine love broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chard all those things. I also got some leftover bits of turf which I planted in cat litter trays (advice on here somewhere). I rotate them in the eglu run if the girls are shut in and they peck away to their hearts content for a few days, then I swap them and they get to regrow. I have had them for about 6 weeks and its working well so far. I should have drilled drainage holes in the bottom though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 That's a really good idea Chicken Licken! When my girls demolished all the grass, I gave them a lettuce each day. They LOVE lettuce! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 Sorry if this is a daft question.....a lot of people say their hens like greens such as broccoli, cabbage etc. Do you need to cook the greens first before feeding them it or can you give it to them raw? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 Do you need to cook the greens first before feeding them it or can you give it to them raw? Depends how fussy they are - mine used to eat raw cabbage, spinach, cauliflower but now they wont touch it. Cook it to soften it a bit though and they scoff it down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 You give your chickens Blueberries, Edgewife! Blimey! We never have any to spare here.....I've scoffed 'em! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 You give your chickens Blueberries, Edgewife! Blimey! We never have any to spare here.....I've scoffed 'em! Me too Egluntine! Mine get the tops off strawberries though, when I trim them to go on my cereal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edge Wife Posted June 6, 2007 Author Share Posted June 6, 2007 They love blueberries: I don't mind sharing. Every morning before I leave for work I give them just one each as a bribe, and then a couple in the evening. I think they have expensive tastes though, don't you? they don't like strawberries though, seemed quite insulted infact when offered them. I am growing blackberries, blackcurrants and raspberries in the garden so they might like those which would be cheap. They only eat lettuce under protest, which is a real bummer as I have tons of it growing at the moment. The turf in trays is an absolutely FANTASTIC idea though and I will definitely do this. Genius! We are one week in and I love my girls to bits though. I had Valerie on my lap and Phoebe on my shoulder at the same time last night. How great is that? I think I wil try to do more hand feeding with Flo though as she is definitely the most timid. Thanks all for the great advice, I'll get sampling with the greens! Edgewife x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 I do the turf in trays. They demolish it in no time at all so you do need a few if you intend to give them a tray regularly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherryl Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Totally agree with Edgewife, give my girls grapes as I walkto the car, can see me taking cut up grapes into work with me soon. Though am a little worried about them eating pellets, or rather not many. Cannot remember what size the bag of feed is, think its one of the ones that sounds like a maths question, one bag will feed 2 chickens for 2 months sort of thing, but am using so few its a joke. Their highnesses are filling up on grass, shout for grapes, manage a little lettuce and spinanch, but brocolli, big golden saltanas and marmite toast, you thought I'd poisoned them. Are tomoatoes okay, and should they be cut up very finely ? and how do you feed bannanas, again peeled and cut up ? Oh, have great exictment in the mornings when they got at top speed looking for slugs, is it meat lust ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Are tomoatoes okay, and should they be cut up very finely ? and how do you feed bannanas, again peeled and cut up ? Oh, have great exictment in the mornings when they got at top speed looking for slugs, is it meat lust ? Mine get bits of cherry tomato to nosh, banana they get half a one each (peeled) which they scurry off with so they can devour it in peace. Mine love woodlice and wait for me to move the ornaments for them so they can grab them and yes mine have eaten a plate of raw mince which they stole from under the cat's nose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherryl Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Hi Laura Is that whole cherry tomoatoes ? And if they think I am going hunting for woodlice ! yeah okay I probably will... So I can peel a banna and just cut it in half and give them a half each (and is that half longwise or width wise) And... my girls chase eachother when the have food (is this normal). Am trying to get clever and stretch my arms when I give them nibbly bits so they don't have the chance to get gumpy and nick the other ones nosh. And crumbs.... did the cat mind too much about having his food pinched ? Thanks Cherryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 They are nutters about treats aren't they? Try to make sure that they eat only pellets in the morning (as far as you can) and keep the treats until late afternoon, otherwise they won't be getting the necessary nutrients to ensure their health and to help them lay eggs. Mine will always mug me for treats, but they don't get anything other than pellets until late afternoon when I use some corn or wheat to tempt them into the run. Indigo wheat (from Wiggly Wigglers) is a good substitute for corn - it's far less fattening and has more protein. They do get some kitchen s"Ooops, word censored!"s, but not until later - as pure breeds, they lay less eggs than hybrids, so need all the help they can get in the egg producing department! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherryl Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Hi Clare Thanks for the tips. I thought they were nutty just taking after me ! And would they eat bird peanuts ? Have got some corn (was surpised how much you get for £1, from Paws). Did try coaxing them into bed with some treats, but they got wise. They have me so well trained, that I have to sneak up to make sure they are in bed, as if they have taken themselves to bed and see me, they start shouting, and come running out to get treats. I know, am an over indulgent first time mother with lots to learn - sigh But... everyone was right... they are delightful. They even take dust baths next to eachother.... Am obessed.. Cherryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Glad to hear that you're enjoying them Cherryl Try whistling when you give them treats, then they will associate that noise with treats and come running when you whistle. Mine do that and it's an easy way to get them in the run - I walk up the garden whistling with some corn/wheat in my hand and they run straight into the run Best not to give them peanuts - they are rather fattening and fat hens won't lay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherryl Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Hi Clare umm... one of my other worries is that they are not getting enough to eat. Saying that... they do seem a lot lot bigger Thanks for the whistling tip, will try it on them. But knowing my memory, I will whistle without food and will get mobbed (am thinking a scene from The Birds !) How are all your girls ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 By the way, my hubby mows the neighbour's lawn and we take the grass clippings. we thought we'd be clever and give them to the chooks but they know the difference and are only interested in freshly pecked home grown produce! Hi I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that we shouldn't give them grass cuttings - wrong length, gets stuck in crop or something - maybe you should check it out just in case ? Mine LOVE raw broccoli. H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherryl Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 [qMine LOVE raw broccoli. H _________________uote] Think I may have done this quoting business wrong. But mine, well they took raw brocolli and stomped it into the ground ! Will try them on a little more. And... just remembered the Amber Star must get hungry overnight, she always comes out and goes straight to the pellets. Think I may have very odd hens ! C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Hi Laura Is that whole cherry tomoatoes ? And if they think I am going hunting for woodlice ! yeah okay I probably will... So I can peel a banna and just cut it in half and give them a half each (and is that half longwise or width wise) And... my girls chase eachother when the have food (is this normal). Am trying to get clever and stretch my arms when I give them nibbly bits so they don't have the chance to get gumpy and nick the other ones nosh. And crumbs.... did the cat mind too much about having his food pinched ? Thanks Cherryl I normally halve the tomatos for them Of course you will go hunting woodlice for them (and snails, slugs etc) Chop a banana in half widthways ( then stand well back) Chuck a few grapes across the garden and watch the chicken races .......and yes- the cat walked off in a sulk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Hi Clare umm... one of my other worries is that they are not getting enough to eat. Saying that... they do seem a lot lot bigger Thanks for the whistling tip, will try it on them. But knowing my memory, I will whistle without food and will get mobbed (am thinking a scene from The Birds !) How are all your girls ? My girls are fine thanks Cherryl, you'll have to come and see them. Ruby is a bit better now, but still not right - I think she may be nearing the end of her time Your chooks will eat more as they lay more eggs, but it might be an idea to cut down on the treats and get them to eat more pellets. Don't worry Hon, they won't starve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Try whistling when you give them treats, then they will associate that noise with treats and come running when you whistle. Mine do that and it's an easy way to get them in the run - I walk up the garden whistling with some corn/wheat in my hand and they run straight into the run Mine follow me into the run anyway now, I don't need any treats! They just follow me everywhere hoping for something! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
