ALABAMA!!

[MarineCorpFarmr]

The only thing that keeps me from feeding them meats is the fact that there's a lot of hormones/antibiotic and other nasty stuff in there. Our bodies are a lot larger and it would take much longer for it to catch up with us, compared to a small chicken.


They did thoroughly enjoy the carcass of our Thanksgiving turkey, after I made broth from the bones. There was just enough bits and pieces left on there for them to go crazy.


The original chicken was MUCH smaller, so needed far less food. That and they lived in the jungle... lots of yummy grubs and fallen fruit to be found when they dig around. Corn is definitely as unnatural as it comes.

The feed debate is a vast never ending debate. What it boils down to is this: chickens are like hogs. Good or bad they will eat dang near anything. Got enough of them im sure they could and would peck and scratch a human to death (if the human couldn't fight back that is). They are feathered garbage disposals.

Edit: jungle fowl aka the original chickens AREN'T that small. By no means are they bantams. We raised half dozen of them before the flock got wiped out. In fact they were bigger then the leggings but yes smaller structure wise then a rhodie

 

[MarineCorpFarmr]

Redneckgurl- not all broody hens throw a fit when disturbed. We had 2 broody rir's last spring. One was Satan incarnate if you got near her. The other her sister from the same hatch I could scoop up and hold to check her eggs and never made more the cooing sounds. Just depends on the bird really

 

[Tomtommom]

The feed debate is a vast never ending debate. What it boils down to is this: chickens are like hogs. Good or bad they will eat dang near anything. Got enough of them im sure they could and would peck and scratch a human to death (if the human couldn't fight back that is). They are feathered garbage disposals.

Edit: jungle fowl aka the original chickens AREN'T that small. By no means are they bantams. We raised half dozen of them before the flock got wiped out. In fact they were bigger then the leggings but yes smaller structure wise then a rhodie

Oh yeah, they will eat ANYTHING. Mine do get commercial feed with corn just because I can't afford to get them some highly specialized feed. The day I can afford to eat organic produce will be the day they get better food

I should probably explain what I meant with small. They're a more efficient bird. Just like wild turkey vs butterball turkey. No huge breast to appease the consumer, they don't walk wide legged because they're too heavy for their size etc. They're a much leaner bird.

 

[Crickett]

Mine get table scraps, meat and all. They also eat anything unwise enough to enter their coop. They caught and ate a toad once. Plus they get their laying pellets and special "treats " from the baitshop.

 

[Dylon]

I know I had company over, and after we ate, they walked out to see our chickens and were mortified to see that I was giving the chickens the tails from the shrimp we just ate.. blew their mind

 

[DeannaA]

I have been yelled at scolded and told how ridiculous I was for feeding my chickens meat. Everyone thinks they are vegetarians. Max my turkey steals the meat off of my plate every chance he gets, which is just about every meal.

 

[MarineCorpFarmr]

Foolishness. Ignorant people preaching about things they know nothing about. Maybe they should do a little research before telling you what to do.

 

[RedneckGurl]

Too funny, as tonight as I was cleaning out the refrigerator I picked up chicken breast used for chicken salad and thought...NO...how cruel could I be? So I guess it would not have been so bad uh¿ I have often wondered what of 'our' foods should I not give them. DH and I were just talking about wonder how in the world did chickens long ago 'make' it before all the bought feed! So many things to ponder and I'm so new to this chicken business!

Welcome Ceraglassics! And it would not have been cruel at all. In fact, my birds' favorite treat, hands down, is chicken. Chicken wings, baked chicken, chicken fingers, fried chicken, etc. They fight over it like rabid dogs. We always joke when we give it to them by telling them it was no one they knew. They also love ham and beef when they get it. Little buggers go crazy for french fries too! Very funny to see a chicken running around in circles with a 4" long french fry hanging out of her beak while the others try to take it away from her. It's true what they say, entertainment is where you find it! And my girls provide me with plenty of it. Who needs TV anymore?

 

[Highcotton]

Quote:
I saw a hen running across the yard with something hanging of her mouth and another chasing her. As she came closer I could tell it was a toad they were playing keep-away with.

 

[RedneckGurl]

I actually have a video of one of my hens doing the same thing. Playing keep away with a toad.