Going over the 10% treat guideline

[ShannaES]

Soooo, is it alright to temporarily exceed the 10% treat guideline in extreme heat conditions? The temps in So Cal area will be in triple digits until next Tuesday (tomorrow will be 110) so I have been feeding cold watermelon, mango and other cool treats to combat overheating. I am also providing cool water, fermented feed, misters in the run, a fan and tons of shade. They also have an orange tree next to their coop and I have been soaking the ground so they can burrow in the cool soil.

 

[Shevraeth]

Just like having a cheat day won't make you suddenly gain 5 pounds (only temporary until you poop), it won't harm them in the long run. If anything, having cool treats to help stay hydrated and not dying of heat stroke is probably better for their health

 

[ShannaES]

Just like having a cheat day won't make you suddenly gain 5 pounds (only temporary until you poop), it won't harm them in the long run. If anything, having cool treats to help stay hydrated and not dying of heat stroke is probably better for their health

Thank you, I see a few cheat days in my near future as well

 

[CaliforniaMountainChicks]

Absolutely! I live in So Cal too and my chickens definitely eat more watery treats like watermelon, cucumber, grapes, etc on very hot days like this week will be. I do like to also wet down some of their crumble feed with water to make a mash that they love. It gives them some extra hydration and gets them to eat a bit more as well.

 

[ShannaES]

Absolutely! I live in So Cal too and my chickens definitely eat more watery treats like watermelon, cucumber, grapes, etc on very hot days like this week will be. I do like to also wet down some of their crumble feed with water to make a mash that they love. It gives them some extra hydration and gets them to eat a bit more as well.

Thank you. They have been annihilating their fermented feed and cool treats. I've tried grapes & cukes but they won't touch either... they do love some peeled mango & tomatoes tho

 

[Flair1239]

The 10% thing is for "optimal" egg laying. If you don't care if the chickens lay 200 eggs a year as opposed to 220, I think you can for the most part disregard it.

IT just depends what you want. IF you are maximizing egg laying then maybe give it consideration. I don't really care if I get 4 eggs a week per chicken or 6. I just enjoy watching them. I like feeding them weeds and watching what they like. I think it is fun when they get pumped up for their daily scratch.

Between running the compost piles through the run (bugs and crawlie things), scratch, and the daily weeds I throw in the run for them to have, I bet at least 25-33% of what they eat during the warm months is something other than feed.

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

You'll be fine. Especially since the treats you're feeding are just fruit and not like scratch and mealworms and stuff like that. As said it's much better for their health to have more treats then to get dehydrated and overheated.

 

[raingarden]

I cheat every single day. They get lots of whole corn; probably like 25% or so. If they were keeling over dead at a young age or showing fatty liver deposits I'd reconsider.

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

A friend of mine once mentioned freezing bottles of water and putting a sock over them, apparently his chickens would cuddle them to help cool down! Obviously don't put them in the sun haha

 

[Tonyroo]

For instant relief try giving them frozen blueberries. Rinse it first then serve. I have a large bag on hand in the freezer.