AndyRoo Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 No you sillies... I made them a 'kebab' swing. They seem to be loving it, which is good, as they seem to have hated veggies until now. Hopefully it'll help keep them a little healthy. Especially as they now expect corn every single time I come to the run! It's quite cute watching them jump up slightly to peck away at it all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Brilliant, will copy that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Just keep the treats to a minimum Andy, especially the corn as it's very fattening. You'd be better off giving them dried mealworms. Their pellets should constitute 98% of their diet with anything else kept to a minimum, and only at the end of the day. Dark green veg such as savoy cabbage or spinach are best. Sorry to be a party pooper, but fat hens won't lay, and they will keel over pretty quickly too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted November 25, 2016 Author Share Posted November 25, 2016 Just keep the treats to a minimum Andy, especially the corn as it's very fattening. You'd be better off giving them dried mealworms. Their pellets should constitute 98% of their diet with anything else kept to a minimum, and only at the end of the day. Dark green veg such as savoy cabbage or spinach are best. Sorry to be a party pooper, but fat hens won't lay, and they will keel over pretty quickly too. Don't worry, they only get treats a handful at a time. They ain't going to be fatties... but it is already quite apparent what their favourite treat is! Although I wonder if they just get excited to see me anyway. One of them now loves to be picked up and petted and is continually trying to make a break for it outside of the run. I think I am going to have to buy some netting and canes and make an 'airlock' to stop her from liberating herself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 You'd be better off giving them dried mealworms. Please bear in mind that it is illegal under DEFRA rules to feed dried mealworms to chickens. See eg. http://www.bhwt.org.uk/information/mealworms/ H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted December 4, 2016 Author Share Posted December 4, 2016 I think the DEFRA rules are really only going to be a problem if you're selling the eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 What about if you accidentally drop the mealworms on the way to the bird table and the chickens eat them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 The article isn't very consistent... are they talking about dried or any? And why only mealworms? Mine get crickets, but no guarantees those weren't fed animal products. And what if they find a frog and eat it? That has definitely been eating bugs... What about if you accidentally drop the mealworms on the way to the bird table and the chickens eat them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 There was quite a storm about this, roughly 2 years ago. Nothing conclusive was found and from what i remember, no decisions were made. If I were worried about things they eat; I would probably be more inclined to be vexed by their tendency to hang around the woodpile, mugging and eating the mice as they appear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted December 5, 2016 Share Posted December 5, 2016 I would probably be more inclined to be vexed by their tendency to hang around the woodpile, mugging and eating the mice as they appear Quite - they do have some lovely habits!!! are they talking about dried or any? And why only mealworms? It's dried, but not only mealworms see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/supplying-and-using-animal-by-products-as-farm-animal-feed The rules apply to "any farm animal species kept as pets" and say only "food waste that comes from household kitchens (not catering kitchens) that only process vegan food" can be used and "Dried terrestrial invertebrates (insects) and processed animal proteins (PAPs) of insect origin cannot be used in farm animal feed or in treats, eg hen treats." Not making any judgement about the appropriateness of the rules, just pointing them out. H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Oh yes mine have swooped on mice and gobbled them down in one I'm afraid the odd mealworm will continue to be given (by odd I mean the odd one here and there not a meal worm with funny habits) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...