marshhens Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 Hi all - sorry to be a neurotic new mum When do you feed what please? I'm feeding layers pellets in the morning - in fact they're there all day in the Grub! Then I read I should give them some grain in the pm, and then any treats (so that they eat the pellets). I put the corn mix in yesterday at lunchtime and they finished it, but didn't seem to eat as much pellet. I suspect I put it in too soon? They also have grit there all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicki9 Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 I keep the grub topped up with layer pellets, and give them some mixed corn sprinkled in the run at about 5-6 ish, usually when I want to get them back into their run after a play in the garden. This seems to work OK. I hve noticed mine eating a lot more pellet (and everything else) as they get nearer POL. I'm sure your chooks are just fine. Nicki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickybaby Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 Mine have access to layers mash ad lib in their grub, with corn and grit mixed in. Then i feed them treats whenever i feel like it, it's not every day though. Usually i put a bunch of grapes, tin of sweetcorn , some raisins etc in a bowl and leave them to it. They also get greens every so often, either a whole cabbage or a few leaves depending if the rabbit has gone off it or not! Then of course there's all the yummy things they find in the garden when they're free ranging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marshhens Posted August 16, 2007 Author Share Posted August 16, 2007 thanks for the prompt reassurance!! Good idea about keeping the corn till I want them back in - as they do seem to love it! Seems obvious really I would just like to say that in the rest of my life I am quite competent - honest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowland17 Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 we put pellets mixed with grit in their glug and that's in there all day everyday, then I try to resist giving them their treat till later afternoon after they've had a run around in the garden as it gets them back in the run, or if we're not around long in the afternoon / evening and there's not time to let them out I give their treat to them mid-afternoon or as soon as I get back from work. give them the odd handful of mixed corn in the run too to say well done when they've both laid an egg, I just can't help myself!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 Best to stick to the pellets most of the day to ensure that they get all the nutrients they need to make eggs. Corn is fattening (fat hens won't lay), so only give it in the evening before they go to bed, and it is good in the winter as it keeps them warm through the night a bit like porridge. Restrict any non-pellet treats to the late afternoon to ensure that they get all the goodies in their pellets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowland17 Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 On this subject, for an afternoon treat what sort of volume should be given as I think our 2 hens would probably keep on eating and eating their treats no matter how much we gave them! I always give them to them in a small plastic bowl, and it is usually a spoonful or 2 of leftover pasta and half a banana (cut up) or a weetabix in water and oil, or 2 brocolli florets and couple of spoons of rice - does that sort of volume sound too much, the veg they don't usually eat all at once so if I give it to them in the evening they may leave some and finish it the next day but I don't want them to get fat!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 That sounds about right, a few treats are fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowland17 Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 I do worry I give them too much as I'm sure they'd eat whatever I gave them if it was one of their favourites! love giving them treats they get so excited when they see their blue bowl then usually tread on it in the rush to get to whatever is in it as quick as possible and tip the whole lot onto the floor!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pearsons Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 I give mine a tablespoon of swettcorn each when I get in from work. They usually eat it from my left hand and I stroke and pet them with my right hand whilst they are eating. Toast is broody of course so she gets hers fed to her whilst she sits on the nest. When I open the egg port she usually stands up to show me the eggs and then settles back down on them as I talk to her and pet her. So much for broddies getting a bit peck happy!!!! My friend brought her daughter round on Tuesday and the little girl wanted to see the hen on the nest... I said that if the hen didn't like it we would have to leave her alone but Toast is so proud of her eggs she is happy to stand up and let you see them! Chips is just a Madam and insists on her pets and treats whenever I open the back door. I hope that they take to the new birds. Chips isn't happy being alone in the big run and still goes in to talk to Toast several times a day. When Toast comes out for food and water Chips grooms her - in the past it has been Toast that would groom Chips...... Helen in Hume Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 It's easy to train them when you give them treats, just whistle or make the same noise each time and they'll soon associate it with nice things.. great for when you need to get them in the run in a hurry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pearsons Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 It's easy to train them when you give them treats, just whistle or make the same noise each time and they'll soon associate it with nice things.. great for when you need to get them in the run in a hurry. They just associate the back door opening with something interesting happening..... and the swear at my DH when he is in the garden and NOT letting them run riot around him...... Helen in Hume Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 Mine do that too, if they can hear me in the house and I haven't been out to see them, then they start a right racket! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pearsons Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 Mine do that too, if they can hear me in the house and I haven't been out to see them, then they start a right racket! The lady next door is no help either as she whistles and clucks to them as she hangs out her washing...... I was dashing in and out when I heard them start up but then I caught her before she had time to hide She keeps saying she wants us to get a cockrel as she likes the noise they make but I think the other neighbours might object Helen in Hume Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 I don't think she'd like it too much if the little blighter was crowing all day from 5am! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pearsons Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 I don't think she'd like it too much if the little blighter was crowing all day from 5am! She works nights and sleeps with ear plugs and an eye mask so it probably wouldn't bother her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
