skwump Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I have 4 lovely hybrid girls who are (hopefully) coming in to lay in the next few weeks. (The first one started crouching yesterday! ) They have layers pellets all the time. But I was wondering how much of the following I should be giving them: corn/grain greens (so far they like spinach, broadbeans, marrow, rocket...) mealworms other treats (e.g. raisons) Also, they LOVE corn on the cob. Does this could as a veggie, or grain, or an added bonus? I suspect I'm giving them a bit too much. But they are so adorable so I keep saying "OK, just a teeny bit more..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I tend to leave corn or grain as it can make them a bit hyper,but if I do give it,then it is no more than once a week. Everything else is once a day,but not too much. If I have leftover pasts,rice or salad then they get that the next day,& once a week they might get a corn cob,cabbage or head of broccoli hung up for them to peck at too. If I don't have any leftovers of greens,then I might give them a few handfuls of Mealworms (I have 6 hens) Its really important not to over-treat them,as they should get their main nutrition from their pellets. Too many treats can result in fat,demanding hens who don't lay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eve Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 if you let them free range i wouldnt give many treats at all, as they wont eat the layers pellets then no eggs. mine are let out to free range in the afternoons if im around. my ranger started crouching yesterday my 4 yr boy is happy as this is his hen and now he can pick her up. cant wait for my 1st egg off her polly no2!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I just give a small handful of corn or grain to tempt them back into the run at the end of the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Ditto^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I'm a bit mean, My lot think that layer pellets in warm water is a BIG treat , I have some live meal worms they get now and again and some corn, I don't class greens as a treat when they are wintered on shavings as they are normally on grass and i'm just subsidizing . everything else is reserved for poorlys that need a pick me up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I give greens quite freely - blown cabbages, brussel sprout stalks etc - as at this time of year they don't get much free ranging. Other than that, I don't give treats except, like Egluntyne and Dogmother, a small handful of corn to get them back in the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I have to watch The Boy when he's around; he goes out to chat to the girls and takes the corn pot with him, when I look out he's sat there with hens on his lap, and shoulders, all pecking corn from his hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Andy did that once, Fran took the pot off him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 did she draw blood?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 No not that time - she did when he fed her some meal worms, but he was warned not to hand feed her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 But It's fun to have them eat from your hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Yes, it is - and it's a good way to 'tame' your chooks. Just don't give them too much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 No not that time - she did when he fed her some meal worms, but he was warned not to hand feed her! Can you get muzzles for hens? So long as treats are given in small amounts and at the end of the day, it won't interfere with their basic feed. Mealworms or dried shrimps are good as treats go - they are +/-47% protein. Chap on one of my courses yesterday was wondering why his hens aren't laying... he feeds them pasta and has never wormed them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 But It's fun to have them eat from your hand Not with Fran it's not - this hen has brains and an evil streak, though she likes cuddles (when it suits her). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I clearly have corn addiction I tried them with mealworm today but I don't think they know what they are and looked so disappointed when they discovered my hand didn't contain any corn . They did eventually take a few but got bored after only a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeloo Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I bought a bag of mixed seed, veggie, & grain treats from the feed store the last time I went. I decided to mix a couple of handfuls into their regular feed because I've found I'm less tempted to overindulge that way. I guess they've started anticipating it because, a couple of days ago, they acted like they were starving when I topped off their feeder though they still had plenty in there! The hens who normally stand back and wait for me to get out of the way were headbutting my hands trying to eat while I was hanging up the feeder! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 They did eventually take a few but got bored after only a few. My lot mob me when I go into the WIR with the bag of mealworms! I have cauliflower and cabbages hanging in the WIR at all times and give them some corn every afternoon when I get in from work. At the weekends they get mealworms for lunch I'm getting eggs daily too so I don't think my regime is doing any harm at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 They did eventually take a few but got bored after only a few. My lot mob me when I go into the WIR with the bag of mealworms! Have you tried live meal worms- double trouble when it comes to being mobbed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chattychook Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 I also have 4 hybrid birds. I tend to mix a small amount of corn into their layers along with grit. I think it is nice for the hens to have a bit of variation for example: Monday: 4-5 broccoli florets Tuesdays: A handful of rice or pasta Wednesday: 8 halved grapes... This can continue! Mainly find out what their favourites are and feed them their treats in the afternoon so they eat enough layers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skwump Posted February 29, 2012 Author Share Posted February 29, 2012 Thank you everyone for all the helpful responses. As I suspected - I've been giving them much too many treats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Have you tried live meal worms- double trouble when it comes to being mobbed I just don't think I could bring myself to touch them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmastar Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Have you tried live meal worms- double trouble when it comes to being mobbed I just don't think I could bring myself to touch them i tip mine up on the bark and leave them a few min while the girls are wathing from the walk in run and it gives them ages digging in the bark finding them ,no skin contact needed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I've now mostly switch from corn to dried mealworms. Three of the girls come round to to liking them, but Coco really doesn't think much of them. This has been great because with the corn she's been barging everyone out of the way. Now I can treat the others and I've actually got Ginger and Siouxsie eating from my hand too. Siouxsie is usually too timid to approach and that barrier is now slowly breaking down now. Where do you get live mealworms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
