Chicken bald back

[emmalou]

Our chicken run is 12 long but can't help thinking there will come a time when the chickens will be struggling to find insects etc. Is this the case? I am concerned that not being completely free range may leave them limited on foraging.

Can I find these things for them or try and encourage them? Slugs and worms are fine in the rain but in dry weather is difficult.

[Cat tails]

You can always buy them mealworms, live or dried. I sometimes feed mine live crickets. But they really don't need them as there will be enough protein in layer pellets.

[emmalou]

How do catch live crickets? I have bought mealworms dried but have read they are just for treats and quite fattening. Maybe better for the Winter?

[Cat tails]

I buy live crickets in a pet store. They are meant to feed reptiles.

They are a treat too.

[sjp]

they find plenty of stuff by themselves there's always something in the soil in fallen leaves

if you want to give the extras stick to veg a pumpkin will keep them entertained for most of the week if you leave it whole with just a small hole cut into the top hang a cabbage or cauliflower up just above head height a large rough swede will work as well then there's apples pears courgettes even tomatoes just leave them whole all a lot better for them than extra protein

my lot have had a field day this afternoon with the apples that fell off the trees overnight it was full watching the cockerel trying to feed the growers with bits of apple only for the older girl to steal off him