feeding cat food

[bethsplace]

my 2 of my hens arent laying so I was going to give them cat food, my question is do you ground it up and mix it with the crumbles or soak it in water to soften it?

 

[zatsdeb]

do you feed them layer mash? our chickens wern't laying but were going through molt, and the goofy weather.

 

[speckledhen]

I wouldn't feed them any catfood on a regular basis like that. It does provide extra protein when they molt, however, it also has way too much salt for chickens. Better to give them a can of salmon once a week (divided into 2 days worth, one of the tall cans). Catfood won't make them lay, especially if they are molting. They need to stop laying during the molt or they can become very run down.

 

[Country Heart]

Quote:
Good to know, thanks for the advice.

 

[bethsplace]

oh I thought someone said if they weren't laying to feed them some extra protein like cat food. I figured it would only be temperarory. one may be molting she has lost some of her feather but no bald spots if you didnt see her losing them you wouldnt think she was molting she has been losing some for the last 3-4 weeks. the other hen quit laying when I put the rooster out there with them, he stays up in the hen house because the girls chase him away. should I just threaten to eat them or show them the salt shaker or move the grill closer?