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.