Cold weather treat suggestions....

[EpicBlueAcres]

I just learned how to make my own bread and was thinking about making every other loaf for the chickens (adding in different seeds and such) is bread helpful for there diet or am i going to waste my time making just a filler food?

 

[mo puff]

lol on the chinese food and egg rolls! My girls love chinese food too!

 

[Rosehill]

For high protein treats, you can't beat dried mealworms. For premium chicken chow, I like Mazuri Game Bird Breeder. As an aside: I recently got a BriteTap waterer and can recommend it. My hens took to after a couple of "Cochin" sessions.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I know this is a thread for winter but I just stumbled on it.

Barley and quinoa are very high in protein.

Two row barley is only about 8% protein, six row can be as much as 16-18% but still not what I would call a high protein boost. Quinoa is about 16%

http://beef.osu.edu/library/barley.html

Cooked or raw??

Cooking may aid digestion but I don't cook them.. I do however sprout grains and seeds which gives them a nutritional boost and dissipates the enzyme inhibitors which interfere with digestion

I just learned how to make my own bread and was thinking about making every other loaf for the chickens (adding in different seeds and such) is bread helpful for there diet or am i going to waste my time making just a filler food?

Maybe if you make their bread without salt it might be OK
Regular bread isn't a good chicken treat.

As the above poster said mealworms are good.
Actually, being omnivores, any animal protein will be superior to things like soy.

 

[kmollyhughes]

I saved scraps from a deer I harvested this year and ground them making meatballs which I froze and give to the girls each week. I also saved the bones which I froze and give them a frozen bone or meatball each week to pick on as it defrosts. I also try to visit local dollar stores and am able to pick up expired cans of mackrel, green veggies and expired eggs which I scramble (shells and all) and feed to the girls. They love the treats!!

Savings scraps from the deer is such a good idea! Heart, liver.....holy moly! Now I'm even more excited for hunting season. Lol

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Savings scraps from the deer is such a good idea! Heart, liver.....holy moly! Now I'm even more excited for hunting season. Lol

No way my chickens are getting the venison heart or liver - those are my favorites.

 

[jailbirdjulie]

I keep reading about BOSS. What is it? I was told by someone at a feed store to give my hens more chicken scratch in the winter. It seems like people here have mixed feelings on that. What do you think about giving them pigeon food? I used to boil it for a couple parrots I had when they were babies. It has peas, beans and corn in it.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

BOSS = Black Oil Sunflower Seed
It is very high in protein, vitamins and minerals but also fats.

More scratch grains in cold weather to give the more energy.
Corn, wheat and barley generate more heat than oats and buckwheat
Too much can make them fat. It is also low in protein which lowers the overall protein intake.

 

[sunshinehs]

This will be my first WI term with my flock, I know it's only september, but can anyone tell me some pointers for winter to keep my flock safe from the cold, they are free range during the day in yhere coop at night, Thanks

 

[myneek]

Apparently Growers Feed is protein rich?