Bare butts!

[Judy]

The problem with feeding cat food:

the following is from DLHunicorn in response to the listing of cat food in this Treats Chart: (A word to the wise, and thank you, DLHunicorn)

"You all know how I feel on cat food and I have posted the links and reasoning behind my objections several times ...it can potentially be detrimental to your birds health and even deadly in the right circumstances and for this reason I feel it should be left off the chart (as when you put it on it is as if you are condoning its use) I will repost here one of the sources for my objection:
http://www.omri.org/Amino_acids_livestock.html
..."While it is nutritionally essential, methionine excesses are far more toxic to poultry than similar excesses of tryptophan, lysine, and threonine (National Research Council, 1994). Force feeding methionine to excess can result in death to chicks (National Research Council, 1994). A dosage of 2 g / mature cat / day (20 to 30 g / kg dry diet) for 20 days induces anorexia, ataxia, cyanosis, methemoglobinemia and Heinz body formation resulting in hemolytic anemia (Maede, 1985). ..."

I too would like to see a reference on BluKote causing cancer, it is mostly gentian violet which is an old time remedy -- which in itself does not make it safe, of course.

There are links on the FAQ to some threads page which discuss pecking and feather picking at length.

Probably no chicken is a vegetarian, since sooner or later they will get a chance to eat a bug or worm, if not a mouse or snake or the like, which they certainly will. I buy non-vegetarian feed by choice, when I can find it.

Usually, if protein supplements don't help, the solution seems to be more space. There are times I have felt a member needed to let their chicken out, even if it meant danger from predators, when confining them was turning the chickens themselves into their own predators.

Mine did not seem to like BOSS at all, til I read on here a suggestion to mix it in with something like scrambled eggs that they did like. Tried, it, and now they will pick it out of whatever it's mixed with, first.​

 

[phasian]

While I also agree that chickens omnivorous trait should be respected, a great way to add extra vegetarian protein is with cooked lentils. If you are not vegetarian focused, hardboiled or scrambled eggs are also a good choice. I shy away from feeding cat food as it is sometimes hard to find formulas without chicken in it. While the chickens won't be the wiser, I know I wouldn't want to have humans be an ingredient in my breakfast cereal-- just seems perverse.

To keep the girls from pecking each other, try straight aloe vera. It is very bitter and I find my hens do not like its taste. It is of course also soothing/healing to the skin.

 

[fratmor]

Quote:
Do you buy store eggs or give them their eggs back .I hate wasting my fresh eggs but worried of bringing germs from store egg into my coop.What do you feed them other them feed does everyone give their chickens meat? the get veggie, scrapes, bread and whatever else we don't eat .but i haven't given them meat scrapes.
what is boss?

 

[phasian]

I would feed them their own eggs back. You can also try feeding whey. It is high in protein. Meal worms also make sense and are very pleasing to chickens.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I took this from another poster who I respect with having good chicken knowledge, she said she feeds her flock canned salmon once a week. I bought wild caught salmon in the can and just open it up and mix it up good and they go bonkers over it. I also feed mine scrambled eggs when I make omlets I just make enough for all of us chickens and dogs too. but this is also with feeding a good quality feed too.

 

[fratmor]

thanks to all .I'm not trying to make my chicken vegetarians I was hoping to keep my eggs lower in cholesterol if that is possible .So I don't want to give them beef,and I don't want them to eat their relatives(other chickens) they are welcome to anything they can catch that is moving except for my maltese which weighs less then most of my chickens. I did give them scrambled eggs and a can of salmon today.