Newchick76 Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Hi folks- We're pretty new to this, so these may seem like daft questions! I've heard it's good for the chooks to grind their old shells to feed back to them as a kind of grit-supplement. is this ok? Also, wondering what "treats" everyone recommends-our girls love mealworms although it makes my toes curl dealing with them! They don't seem too fussed on greens but love dandelion leaves. Just want to make sure I'm not going to harm them- different sources say differet things... Any advice welcome! Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Following advice on the forum I save all the eggshells and when the oven is on I pop them in the bottom to dry out then crumble them into the feeder with the layers pellets. I also give my girls grit, oyster shell and limestone flour as at one stage one of my girls was laying soft shelled eggs. I do occasionally give my girls dried meal worms and they love them I do not give mine additional greens as they free range all day and eat what is about. I am sure others will be along with more advice. Happy hen keeping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of chicken keeping My girls have the ground up egg shells baked first and mixed with treats . They are not keen on greens except cooked .They also love dandelions. especcially if you leave them in a clump ..a game of footie starts Also tuna for calcium , left over pasta ,left over couscous and sweetcorn tinned or frozen.,but don't get to carried away ,not too much. Make sure the treats if any are in the afternoon after they have had their fill of their "proper" food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newchick76 Posted April 22, 2012 Author Share Posted April 22, 2012 Thanks guys... I'll give the egg shell tip a try... They have a run to free range... But in the wet weather, I've been amazed how quickly all the grass has been eaten and turned over!! We've given them their own permanent spot -for the eglu on barkchip and they (did!) have several metres square of grass to roam in when we can keep an eye on them! i understood the omlet feed had shell/grit contained in it.. But I guess if we use other feeds it would be necessary to add in a grit supplement? Love the chickens and already eyeing up a cube... Shh... Don't tell my other half! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heth1986 Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Mine go crazy for mealworms, one girl manages to scramble up to my shoulder to get to them quicker Mine are also FR alot of the time but when the weather's wet / grass is at a low in their quagmire in this winter weather, I hang things up like nets full of chopped grass, spinach, broccolli, cauliflower, cabbage, apples, bananas, carrots etc. They do seem to like a bit of porridge or pasta every now and then too! My fussy girls will only eat veg if it's hung up though I don't think they like the thought of it rolling round in their own poo They also get their baked egg shells, grit and oyster shell but I offer mine up in a seperate dish for them, just my way of doing things! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
