Homemade flock block

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mkcolls

mkcolls

Songster
8 Years
Mar 13, 2011
473
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Ohio
After purchasing Purina's Flock Block and finding that my chicks are too young for it I combined many of the great recipes on this forum to make my own. Since it is 94 in the shade I used a gelatin based block with oats, cracked corn, BOSS, raisins, ground flax seed, raw peanuts, amaranth, hazelnuts, and a couple of tablespoons of molasses.
I gave it to our oldest chicks (8wks) and there was a feathered flurry around the treat block. Our Buff Brahma rooster ended up laying on the paper plate, claiming rights while the others went berserk!
Our 5 wk old turkeys were scared, staying 12" or more away from the block. Even when I broke it up they touched it, wiped their beaks and went back to their shady spot.
tongue.gif

Our 5 wk old guineas checked it out - after the turkeys I just gave them small bits. They weren't impressed, turning back to the gnats they were tracking.
Our 4 wk old chicks went at it without fear then wiped their beaks and went back to jumping. A favorite pastime of the younger set regardless of the heat.
wee.gif


So, for our brood, age makes the difference. The blocks are easy to make, I can keep them refrigerated, add almost any fruit, nut and grain, and keep my oldest chick busy for awhile. I will continue to make them.

Thank you to all of you who posted recipes and for all of the posts that I have read that kept me sane with our brood.
 
Hey thanks for this post.... I had picked up a box of gelatin this morning but wasn't sure what else to get. I plan to use an empty dip or butter container. Will be making some this coming week.....
 
I was able to purchase my unsweetened gelatin bulk at a very good price. I have enough to make block for months. I did have to go to the Knox gelatin site to find out how much is in each packet. One small box of Knox contains 4- 1/4 ounce packet - so - 1 small box = 1 ounce.

Here is my recipe.

Homemade Seed Block

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup boiling water
8 T cold water
1 ounce unflavored gelatin
2 T black strap molasses
8 cups of any seed, grain, fruit, and nut combination.


Boil 1 1/2 cup water.
In a large bowl mix 1 ounce of gelatin in 8 tablespoons of cold water and let set for 1 minute.
Add boiling water to gelatin mixture and stir for 2-3 minutes or until the gelatin has dissolved.
Add molasses and mix well.
Stir in 8 cups of dry seed, grain, fruit and nut combination into the gelatin, mixing thoroughly.
Let the mixture set for a few minutes, stir again. Repeat several times to allow the seed mixture to absorb the liquid.
Spoon the mixture into a greased bundt or angel food cake pan, or into smaller containers using a shot glass in the center to make a hole for hanging. (Hanging is optional)
Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Remove the seed block from the pan or containers by inverting.
Allow the seed block to dry on a cooling rack overnight or longer if necessary.



For my first batch I used oats, cracked corn, BOSS, ground flax seed, hazelnuts, peanuts, raisins, and amaranth.

I wanted small blocks for this first batch so I used single container disposable ware. Treat size for one day for my 32-8wk old chicks. I didn't want it to set overnight in the pen - no rodent feeding for me. I didn't need to worry. They loved it.
 
Sounds cool. Does it come out cheaper then re done blocks? I think they are about 13-14 bucks at TSC, and I think they are 25 lbs. My 13 birds take a week or better to devour one.
 
I used what I had, except for the gelatin, a $1.57 bulk bag that will last months, and the BOSS. The cost was a fraction of the Purina Flock Block that I can't use for at least 10 more weeks.

I used leftover nuts, raisins, and grains that I buy bulk and had on hand. I didn't do a cost breakdown but the amount in the small blocks:D that I made lasted longer that several handfuls of scratch grains I was using.
big_smile.png
 
I've tried a couple but need to pick up some gelatin, I've been having problems getting them to consistently stick together. Likely because the ingredients consist of whatever is left over in the fridge + grains. I tried the wet bread method, whole wheat flour, eggs, etc. It only binds well about 25% of the time.

Our TSC doesn't carry the blocks or I probably would have tried one.

Last one consisted of;
Two pieces nut bread
Handful of organic cat food
2 C scratch grains
1 C BOSS
2 C Livestock grains w/no molasses
1 C Leftover chicken noodle soup (home made, nom)
Papaya chunks
Part of a watermelon
Amaranth seeds
Couple of eggs

I considered putting some junebugs in there but I just couldn't get over having them crawling around live in my oven. Guess I could try freezing them first.
 

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