Flowerpot Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Hi Everyone Can someone help me please? I have heard that when the temperature is very low (like -10) it is good to give hens something warm like mash. Can anyone tell me what mash is made up from and how hot it should be etc etc. We are having very low temps here at the moment and I hear it really is going to be a minus figure tonight and I wanted to give my girls something that will help keep them warm. Thanks for this Flowerpot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Hi flowerpot, I mix some of their pellets with warm water . It goes like a porridge . They love it . Jackie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowerpot Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 That's simple thanks How hot though? I don't want to burn them when they eat or am I being too picky! Flowerpot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auntielizzie Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Same here, I just put some pellets in a bowl and add warm water (I always use boiled water from the kettle then add cold water to cool it down*) and mix to a porridge consistency. I tend to make it quite watery to begin with because the pellets soak up a lot of water and it becomes quite solid almost, then you can add more water until you're happy. The girls seem to quite like it nice and sloppy and I think it's a good source of extra liquid too:!: Regarding temperature, I imagine I'm making it like you would for a weaning baby * (I don't use water from the hot tap as this wouldn't be what you would do for a baby - Urggggh germs ) I know, the things we do for our pets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 they don't need hot food really but a couple of handfuls of mixed corn just before bed is supposed to help my lot suffered no ill effects in the cold winter of 2010 when we had 30 day of below freezing temps and they only once got offered a warm feed of pasta and they let it go cold before they'd eat it so they don't get any thing warm now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowerpot Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 Thank you both - this is very helpful I shall make them some for their supper(!) so that they have warm tummies before they go in for the night. Last night was the first night their water froze and it is supposed to be colder tonight. I love the photos of hens in the snow. My girls took one look at the snow and went back into the Eglu cube and stayed in there most of the day! Flowerpot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 I give them a warm pellet mix before bed and throw a handful of corn down for them. It heats there bodies up while they digest it overnight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 I give mine warm pellet mash in morning and porridge oats mixed with water in evening or sweet corn.I just stick my finger in the bowl and check it's lukewarm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Mine just get a handful of corn and seeds before they go in to roost, and I leave the door open all night with no ill effects. Don't forget that their body temp is 105deg, and they're wearing thick duvets.... they won't be getting cold in a hurry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Have been giving mine porridge for years. Oats pilus warm watery milk. They guzzle it down by the cart load. Mmm. Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claireabella Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Mine get warm pellet porridge on cold mornings and mixed corn before bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 warm food makes us feel better about things but has no benefit to the bird Food eaten will sit in the crop for a while so warm food quickly cools here and becomes stodge, before it enters in to the bird's system any warmth is long gone Hard feed such as maize and wheat needs the body to work hard to digest it (unlike the stodge) the digestive process of the hard feed warms the body (hence Dogmother above feeding seeds and grains before roosting time) I feed a higher proportion of seeds/grains in the winter and less pellets for this reason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Hard feed such as maize and wheat needs the body to work hard to digest it (unlike the stodge) the digestive process of the hard feed warms the body (hence Dogmother above feeding seeds and grains before roosting time) I feed a higher proportion of seeds/grains in the winter and less pellets for this reason What seed/grain mix do you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 since you asked.......different birds get different mixes Show birds are on 1/3 maize, 1/3 top quality growers mash mixed with linseed, black sunflower seeds, millet, oats and barley and 1/3 whole wheat Laying birds are on 1/4 pellets. 1/2 wheat and 1/4 others incl peas, black sunflower seeds, linseed, no maize Breeding birds are on 1/3 pellets, 1/3 wheat and 1/3 others incl peas, black sunflower seeds, linseed, maize, barley All diets are balanced and have various oils and vitamins/minerals added, its not simply a matter of mixing stuff up If in doubt simply buy mixed corn (the stuff that is mainly wheat) and substitute 1/4 of a layers pellet ration but only in winter, that much mixed corn in summer is not good but in winter is a proportion of the diet that is pretty foolproof - not too much fat for laying hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 The seed treats mine get (just a handful between them at the end of the day) contains wheat, niger seed, maize, linseeds millet, barley, peas and a few sunflower seeds. I buy the constituents and mix it up myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 I'm just interested to see what other seeds they can be given, in moderation of course, thanks for your information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowerpot Posted January 20, 2015 Author Share Posted January 20, 2015 Thanks everyone I have given them warm (baby-warm!) in the morning and you are right Redwing they love it but continue to eat it when it is cold. I think it is because I hate being cold that I wanted to think that they were getting something to keep them warm but they don't seem to be bothered - though they don't like the snow and don't go out in it much if they can help it. They have mixed grains as a supplement before they retire for the night and some dried meal worms. I think I am over indulgent with them but they run about when there is no snow and are still laying eggs so I guess it is ok for now. If I had my way I would bring them into the house along with all the sheep in the next door field and the garden birds when it is really cold! fortunately I do have a modicum of common sense and can see that they don't feel cold like I do!!!!! Flowerpot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
