Additions to layer feed

[Chm1981]

Hi all! I have my small flock of 6 birds all about or almost 4 months old and beginning later feed. The cannot free range due to number of birds of prey in our area. I have been giving the birds sweet gum tree leaves, grapevine leaves, hibiscus flowers/leaves as they all grown on property (we have some toxic stuff like avocados, figs, agapanthus and iris. But also lots of citrus, olive, date palm and macadamia trees) and am planting crimson clover, some beets, carrots and lettuces for them. My question is until I have rotating crops for them what’s the best greens and extras I should be giving them to round out their diet? I’m looking for simple and affordable options. Thanks so much for any advice.

 

[nuthatched]

You can do fodder trays, they're cheap and easy.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

These sound like fun treats, treats meaning a minority of their diet/ caloric intake.

What they mainly need is a balanced diet - balanced means rounded.

Sounds like you’ve already started layer feed, which commonly is only 16% protein. Pullets who are laying down better with more protein, as their bodies are doing double duty, laying eggs+still growing. If so (already on layer feed), consider adding animal protein on the side. There are some amino acids that chickens need that are more bioavailable from meat, fish, insects, and yes, poultry than from plant proteins.

There are several threads currently going that discuss/ debate optimal nutrition for laying pullets and hens.

 

[Chm1981]

These sound like fun treats, treats meaning a minority of their diet/ caloric intake.

What they mainly need is a balanced diet - balanced means rounded.

Sounds like you’ve already started layer feed, which commonly is only 16% protein. Pullets who are laying down better with more protein, as their bodies are doing double duty, laying eggs+still growing. If so (already on layer feed), consider adding animal protein on the side. There are some amino acids that chickens need that are more bioavailable from meat, fish, insects, and yes, poultry than from plant proteins.

There are several threads currently going that discuss/ debate optimal nutrition for laying pullets and hens.

I have dried mealworms out for them in a hanging dispenser but they haven’t quite taken too yet. What types of meat/protein would you recommend and how to feed it avoid it get covered in ants out there within the hour? I have space for a hanging bird feeder so I can put them in a bowl there possibly

 

[nuthatched]

I have dried mealworms out for them in a hanging dispenser but they haven’t quite taken too yet. What types of meat/protein would you recommend and how to feed it avoid it get covered in ants out there within the hour? I have space for a hanging bird feeder so I can put them in a bowl there possibly

They don't need them, those are occasional treats.
What feed are you feeding?

 

[thecatumbrella]

You can do fodder trays, they're cheap and easy.

We do something similar to this: sprouts. They take about 3-5 days, depending on how sprout-y I want them. This is the guide I use. When starting a batch, each bird gets 1 tablespoon (1/2 tablespoon for bantams).

I'll also give them chunks of cucumber on a hanging skewer, maybe 2 times a month. Sugary things like blueberries, watermelon, or corn are a very occasional treat. Black solider fly larvae are given in small amounts as a reward for enduring their monthly health check or getting their feet cleaned.

All this to say 95% of what they eat is straight chicken feed.

 

[FrostRanger]

I have dried mealworms out for them in a hanging dispenser but they haven’t quite taken too yet. What types of meat/protein would you recommend and how to feed it avoid it get covered in ants out there within the hour? I have space for a hanging bird feeder so I can put them in a bowl there possibly

Best way to give them more protein is to feed them a feed with more protein, many all flock feeds have 20% protein which is better for the birds, just have crushed oyster shell on the side for calcium. Any other extras they get should be no more than 10% of their diet

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I have dried mealworms out for them in a hanging dispenser but they haven’t quite taken too yet. What types of meat/protein would you recommend and how to feed it avoid it get covered in ants out there within the hour? I have space for a hanging bird feeder so I can put them in a bowl there possibly

I don’t think of these as treats but as supplemental protein if you’re stuck with a bag of 16% for now.

Some people give tuna or sardines. I give frozen chunks of ground beef 2-3 times a week. I break up a pound and freeze chunks in a silicon ice cube tray, then store them in a ziplock freezer bag. One slightly thawed chunk (ice cube size) per pullet. The girls go wild for them, and I’ve never known one to last more than 4 minutes, so ants are definitely not a problem.

 

[Chm1981]

They don't need them, those are occasional treats.
What feed are you feeding?

I can’t recall the brand, but it’s the layer feed that was recommended from our local feed store. I also give them things cabbage, carrots, apples and scrambled eggs once a week. I haven’t tried the soilder fly larvae but heard it’s good for them too. I grew trays of alfalfa and clover sprouts and they seemed to love those

 

[Chm1981]

I don’t think of these as treats but as supplemental protein if you’re stuck with a bag of 16% for now.

Some people give tuna or sardines. I give frozen chunks of ground beef 2-3 times a week. I break up a pound and freeze chunks in a silicon ice cube tray, then store them in a ziplock freezer bag. One slightly thawed chunk (ice cube size) per pullet. The girls go wild for them, and I’ve never known one to last more than 4 minutes, so ants are definitely not a problem.

That’s a great idea, and something not super costly. Silly question, is the beef raw or cooked before you freeze it? And so you get a lean one or a one with a little extra fat?