Dove food for chickens

[Sherri1990]

Does anyone have any experience with feeding dove food to hens and roosters as a treat? I started feeding a rooster that just showed up at my house this food and meal worms and he is really thriving. My hens eat this instead of scratch and they look sooo good too. They also have layer feed out and free range for 10 hours a day. I have attached the ingredients and would love some insight on this from experienced chicken parents. I also have grit and oyster shells out. I realize that chicken feed is the go to…. And I know it’s perfectly balanced… but still would like to know real opinions.

 

[Brooks_]

I did not know they made dove food. The protein is alarming low. Fat and fiber within reason. Did not see AA profile.

 

[kerbotx]

As a treat, I think it would be fine - the first several lines of ingredients are the same whole grains you'll find in various scratch grain mixtures for chickens (and some fancier whole grain feed formulas). I can't give an informed opinion about the vitamins/minerals/calcium, which would affect its overall suitability. I am curious how you came by it, what led you to feed it to the visitor!

 

[Sherri1990]

As a treat, I think it would be fine - the first several lines of ingredients are the same whole grains you'll find in various scratch grain mixtures for chickens (and some fancier whole grain feed formulas). I can't give an informed opinion about the vitamins/minerals/calcium, which would affect its overall suitability. I am curious how you came by it, what led you to feed it to the visitor!

I have a rock dove that found me last year and I feed her the dove food. It’s all I had on hand. So I have it to the rooster. He always eats my cats dry food also… he doesn’t like the chicken feed. The hens love the dove food but will eat the later feed and oyster shells. I don’t want to make a mistake with their diet. But as a free range chicken don’t they know what they need?

 

[Sherri1990]

I did not know they made dove food. The protein is alarming low. Fat and fiber within reason. Did not see AA profile.

He eats some of my cats food and the meal worm mix. The hens eat everything in site. Thank you for the information. I have never had free range chickens and I hope they know what they need. I feel lost in this area.

 

[21hens-incharge]

At 11% protein it's a better treat than scratch which generally lists 8 or 9% protein.

I am betting it's quite a bit more expensive too.

 

[Sherri1990]

At 11% protein it's a better treat than scratch which generally lists 8 or 9% protein.

I am betting it's quite a bit more expensive too.

I felt like it had to be healthier but yeah it’s expensive. It lasts a long time for one little dove.