bird seed for chickens

[lovin my girls]

Hi,

Is it o.k. to give chickens bird seed for a treat? I was curious on this.

Thanks.

 

[Judy]

I don't see why not. BOSS, sunflower seed, is used by many and quite beneficial. I'd watch at first to see if they leave a particular type of seed untouched.

 

[gallusdomesticus]

Bird seed is fine (they're birds aren't they?). I would not make it a major portion of their diet however as it lacks the protein and calcium and other nutrients of commercial layer feed. Most comercial bird feed is only 8-10% protein...ok for wild birds that don't have to lay every day. I use it as a treat however and they love it.

 

[lovin my girls]

Thank you all.

We only give bird seed as a treat. They are on regular chicken feed and do get scraps from our food.

 

[DelcoChix]

I've seen my two 'free-ranging' Buckeye girls hanging out under the birdfeeders every day, enjoying whatever the wildlife knocks out of the feeders...they have their own Layena about 10 feet away in the shed, just seem to enjoy the thrill of the hunt I guess, especially with 4-5" of snow covering the ground. And I too have thrown a handful or two out to the rest of the girls when I'm out of their other treats...they enjoyed the treat.

 

[KimberlyJ]

I have inside birds...ring neck doves, finches and button quail. I empty their Used" food dishes into a chicken dish and take it out to the girls---they love it.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I have bird seed in my homemade feed mix (millet, sun. seeds, and nyjer thistle seed). They love it.

 

[lovin my girls]

Thank you all for your help with this.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

You can even spout wild seeds and feed that to your birds. Makes for a nice green treat in the middle of winter.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4443932_sprout-bird-seeds.html