Chickens addicted to cat food! Will a cat door keep them out?

[BDutch]

Protein percentages are based on lab analyses of samples and are averages. So they are always indicative rather than certain. In addition, there are lots of types of protein, and some are more digestible by chickens than others. In particular, some animal proteins suit what chickens need to eat (because they cannot synthesize them themselves) better than do plant proteins. So it's not just about the amount of protein, but the type of protein. Mealworms are animal proteins, but again their precise nutritional profile will vary significantly, depending on what *they* were fed.

One way to try to ensure your birds are getting everything they need is to given them a variety, and change the constituents of that variety, so they are not always eating the same things grown in the same places under the same conditions. And let them select: not a single one of them is exactly the same as the 'average' chicken; some will need more of this or that, some will need less. With a processed food, they are all stuck with what suits an average bird. So instead of mealworms, give them fish, or meat, or dairy, for a while. Then switch to another source. And so on. It's not difficult to mix it up.

And do give them more than one opportunity to try something new; don't expect them to embrace it with gusto from the getgo. Most will be cautious, as many people are with novel foods, but once one tries it, others will follow. Good luck!

These are good personal choices. Its true chickens do well on a varied diet.

Mine get good organic feed for factory farming /small scale farming. Pellets for hens and crumble for chicks. Besides this feed, they free range a > couple of hours a day on average (insects, seeds, maggots, herbs, fresh grass, fruit). Get some oyster flakes, grit, mixed grains/seeds, kitchen left-overs and a few mealworms.

I don’t eat meat myself and I don’t buy fish or meat especially for them. They are happy with the empty natural yoghurt package, tiny bits of cheese crusts. Favourite kitchen left overs (we use very little salt to cook): rice, pasta with or without sauce, beans, peas, fruit .. .

I am convinced that most of all, free ranging is very good for chickens besides whatever balanced food you give.
The exercise and a healthy soil with diverse plant growth are real good for health and longevity.

The vet of our neighbours say it’s better for cats not to have access to the cat food whole day. And give them limited food. If that means the chickens only have access to cat food, a small part of the day I don’t see a problem. Eating some cat food isn’t harmful.

 

[The_Chicken_Tender]

Protein percentages are based on lab analyses of samples and are averages. So they are always indicative rather than certain. In addition, there are lots of types of protein, and some are more digestible by chickens than others. In particular, some animal proteins suit what chickens need to eat (because they cannot synthesize them themselves) better than do plant proteins. So it's not just about the amount of protein, but the type of protein. Mealworms are animal proteins, but again their precise nutritional profile will vary significantly, depending on what *they* were fed.

One way to try to ensure your birds are getting everything they need is to given them a variety, and change the constituents of that variety, so they are not always eating the same things grown in the same places under the same conditions. And let them select: not a single one of them is exactly the same as the 'average' chicken; some will need more of this or that, some will need less. With a processed food, they are all stuck with what suits an average bird. So instead of mealworms, give them fish, or meat, or dairy, for a while. Then switch to another source. And so on. It's not difficult to mix it up.

And do give them more than one opportunity to try something new; don't expect them to embrace it with gusto from the getgo. Most will be cautious, as many people are with novel foods, but once one tries it, others will follow. Good luck!

Looking at the feed label, it seems most of the protein does come from plant sources. I know about bioavailability of animal vs plant protein when it comes to humans, and I never thought it would be an issue with chickens. Thank you for opening my eyes to this! As a start, I will start giving them (cooked) eggs, because we get way more than we use. Thanks for the advice!

 

[McChooky]

I feed fresh raw eggs to my dogs and chickens when I have extras. Nothing wasted.No dirty pots or pans

 

[The_Chicken_Tender]

I feed fresh raw eggs to my dogs and chickens when I have extras. Nothing wasted.No dirty pots or pans

I wish I could feed them raw eggs, but they would probably start eating them out of the nest boxes!