Feeding chickens

[catbalu]

Hi
i have just got 3 chickens for pets and for eggs. I've given them some chopped raw carrot, is this ok. Also, i've mixed corn with layers pellets about 50/50. Is this also ok?
Thanks.

[Scarlet]

Don't mix the corn in with the layers - corn is a treat and they will just pick it all out! feed them the layers ad-lib all through the day and throw a handful of corn in the evening and some greens/veg if you have any. Don't over dose on treats, the layers is all they really need.

[catbalu]

ah. thanks for that.

[Flummery]

It's like giving kids chocolate and cabbage. Guess what they'll eat?

I give layers pellets so they can help themselves and in the morning I give them a few cabbage leaves or such like - their absolute favourite is chard. Just before bedtime I mix a handful of corn with a handful of mixed grit and a few mealworms ('cos I spoil them!) and scatter that in the run. They scratch about for that and it puts something in their crops that will take longer to break down, keeping them going at night. Mine don't like raw carrot but will have your hand off for it when it's cooked!

Welcome to the grapevine.

[Nicos]

Just be aware that a fat chook ( ie too many treats/corn) tends to stop laying!!

[Feather]

If you're keeping them in a run, ie not freeranging, they'll benefit from a nice fresh, free salad bag of greens picked daily from a clean hedgerow, eg the tips of goosegrass, garlic mustard, clover and other green shoots, plus if you can dig up clumps of growing grass (not too long, maybe when you're weeding the garden) they'll enjoy pecking at the stems. You can give them small amounts of cut grass, but don't overdo it or give them long pieces as this may cause crop impaction. Mine also get chopped cabbage, or you can hang a cabbage up from the roof for them to peck at. Bits of spare fruit like apple or pear cores and peelings, grapes etc are loved, also some sweetcorn (defrosted frozen is OK if you want to treat them, but don't overdo this as it's rather fattening.) Main thing is to provide plenty of variety of raw greenstuffs, rather than cooked food, ie replicating what their natural freerange diet might contain. Its probably best to let them have a good feed of pellets first thing in the morning before providing anything else, to make sure they've had all their protein and vitamins etc - like main course before pudding! And go easy on the mixed corn, it's addictive for them and they'll come to expect it instead of their more balanced food. Pick up any uneaten bits of fresh greens etc before putting any more down for them. then you'll come to know what they'll eat and how much to give, and they won't have wilted greens lying around.

[motherhen]

Catbalu, what sort of birds are they, some can process scraps better than others, if they are little commercial layers then they need ad lib layers mash or pellets and do not mix as they will take the corn out as this is only 10% and they need at least 16% keep it to a minimum.
The more greens, cabbage, bread etc you give the more the protein level diminishes.
Just think dogs and cholcolate.

[catbalu]

thank you very much for all your advice. i'll bear it all in mind. unfortunately, i've mixed in the corn with the layers pellets. i'll try and sift it out.
i've a Merran, a cream legbar and a light sussex. I only got them on Saturday and the Merran and Sussex are laying already.

[Hans Mum]

mine love brocolli, roast potatoes & pasta & most cooked veggies but they dont get them too often. I hang a cabbage or other greens and they got a new toy yesterday a ball which you fill with pellets or corn and they have to roll it around to get the stuff out, they had mastered that within 5 mins of me putting it in the run

[Snadger]

mine love brocolli, roast potatoes & pasta & most cooked veggies but they dont get them too often. I hang a cabbage or other greens and they got a new toy yesterday a ball which you fill with pellets or corn and they have to roll it around to get the stuff out, they had mastered that within 5 mins of me putting it in the run

Oooooooh..........I want one (I mean the chooks want one) Where did you get it please?

[francesbean]

Ditto the rolly bally thing - I'm always looking for ways to keep the girls amused - and out of my veg gaqrden!

francesbean

[Hans Mum]

i'll have a look tonight for the details

[Suechooks]

I used to have one for the dog! Must look and see if I've still got it!

[Hilary B]

I got Shadow one of those, some designs have a 'ledge' so the last few bits will not come out.......
Actually Shadow has 2, one of which makes noises when it rolls about.....
Should be in most pet shops, or the pet section of Wyevale (pricey there..)

Francesbean, you are not QUITE beyond gifting distance.......

[catbalu]

thanks everybody for all your comments. i've been letting the girls free range round the garden when i get home from work and when i'm in on a weekend. i'm sure they'd love a roller ball thing for when i'm out at work and they're stuck in their run. is it designed especially for chooks.