The Dogmother Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Straight from Parctcal Poultry mag... if your chooks are moulting, give them extra protein by feeding rabbit food or chick crumbs, both are very rich in protein. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Good tip. I've been giving mine cat food. They love it....and I can see that it has helped. There are some lovely glossy feathers appearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 23, 2007 Author Share Posted October 23, 2007 I understand that a lot of show breeders use cat food or bunny food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemychooks Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 I've heard that people give chickens cat food but I didn't think they could eat any meat ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 23, 2007 Author Share Posted October 23, 2007 Technically, DEFRA don't allow it (to prevent diseases bred in intensively farmed meat crossing the species barrrier), but it is up to the individual really - chickens are omniverous and evolved to live on the jungle floor,eating frogs and other small rodents as well as other material while they forage. The problem is that in the UK, chooks usually moult just as the weather is getting cold and the numbers of bugs (protein) in the garden declines massively. hence the need for extra protein. I would only be happy feeding mine meat that I knew came from a reliable, free-range and non-medicated source (for instance, my girls get the cooked rind off my morning bacon). They will happily eat any mice and frogs they come across, but I don't feed them other meat. I often give them tuna though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 I often give them tuna though. dolphin friendly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 23, 2007 Author Share Posted October 23, 2007 But of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemychooks Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Oh ok, that's good to know, thanks Claret. I've yet to try them on tuna, looking forward to seeing what they make of that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 23, 2007 Author Share Posted October 23, 2007 be sure to rinse the salt off it first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harveypup Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 2 of mine are moulting at the mo and I have been treating them to mashed potato (slightly warm) mixed with tuna and sweetcorn. You shoud here the contented noises they make Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 I've been giving my girls Applaws Organic Cat food. It is fantastically expensive, but ticked all the boxes for me. However, I've just been working it out and it is 3 times more expensive than line caught tuna, so I'll be swapping them when this delivery is used up. : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 23, 2007 Author Share Posted October 23, 2007 I wonder what the protein comparison is with rabbit food and chick crumbs. Apparently, soaked quinoa grains are good for veggie chooks. I think it tastes disgusting myself - I got some as it was supposed to be the new wonder food - VILE!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 I agree about quinoa or "Keenwa" as my daft friend pronounces. It tastes like the sweepings from the bottom of a budgies cage. No one will touch it at Egluntine Towers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 23, 2007 Author Share Posted October 23, 2007 It made me gag, and I'll eat almost anything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Mine absolutely adore cat food. If anyone leaves the back door open, even a crack, they're in and bolting down the cat food as if they were starving - little beaks going like woodpeckers! It's their idea of heaven! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geb0205 Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 my 4 go potty for the cat's food, the poor cat is not amused!! Failing cat food, they eat dried mealworms like crisps, they love them. They are SUPER high in protein. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Unfortunately mine like trying to hoover up the spilt bird seed under the bird table.....can't keep them away........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Failing cat food, they eat dried mealworms like crisps, they love them. They are SUPER high in protein. Unfortunatly not. They are very high in carbs, but not in protien,so I have heard. Shame because they seem to be a universal food loved by all hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 24, 2007 Author Share Posted October 24, 2007 I've heard that too Sarah; the drying process removes most of the nutrients. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 My vet told me this when Babs had her weeks stay with them the drying process removes every bit of goodness, except the 'shell'. She said it was only the keratin that remains, which was good for roughage but not much else. Mine get rinsed tuna every so often. Plus lots of mealworms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 I don't own a cat so have never needed to purchase cat food. Could you let me know which flavour/variety is best. Thanks Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 24, 2007 Author Share Posted October 24, 2007 I've never fed it to my chooks, but I'd advise an organic variety so that you can be sure of the provenance of the meat used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickweed Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 I don't own a cat so have never needed to purchase cat food. Could you let me know which flavour/variety is best. Thanks Liz Chicken flavour seems a bit cruel, don't you think? A bit like us eating people flavoured stew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 What a thought! Im so glad im a vegetarian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 I had a look earlier. And, yes, lots of them seem to be chicken or chicken and something else (in jelly - yuck). In the end I couldn't quite bring myself to buy any so got some tuna (in springwater) instead. Typically, the one's that ate it are those that need it least. Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...