Feeding chicken to chickens?

[Barb Schuetz]

I know that some ppl feed leftover chicken and other meats to their chickens, nothing against them and I don't want to start one of THOSE threads but..... it doesn't feel right to me. I've heard some of the arguments as to whu it's ok and frankly, I'm just not buying it. Does anyone have any proof? I mean scientific proof by a reliable source to support claims on either side?
Will my chickens fail to thrive or thrive to their full potential if I don't give them animal protein?
EDIT: They do free range and get lots of bugs or whatever else suits their fancy.

 

[FamilyOfChickens]

I believe that chickens need to have animal protein in their diets. Most feed has that. I don't mean to make anyone uncomfortable, but I've found 2 or 3 chickens dead/dying in the coop, and the others have no qualms about pecking at them. To them, it's just more yummy food.

I don't like the idea of giving mine chunks of chicken, but I don't care if they get some any how. I don't hesitate to give hot dogs, ham, beef, et cetera to my chickens. I think they're all the better for it. That's just my opinion, though, and I think this is one of those things where everyone has a different one.

LET'S NOT HAVE ANOTHER ARGUMENT, 'EY?

 

[MayberrySaint]

Just google "poultry nutrition requirements"...there are hundreds of sites out there.

Fact: Chickens do not need animal protein for optimum health and performance.

Fact: Chickens can have animal protein with no detrimental effects.

Fact: Rations with animal protein are generally cheaper than non-animal protein rations because vegetarian rations require the addition of synthetic amino acids (lysine) to properly balance the diet.

Fact: Chickens love meat...

 

[CtlisencedArborist]

Well mine love meat and chx so they get it on occasion.They also get dogfood,yahyahyah.....i know,but they like it!My wife shouldnt eat all the chocolate she does BUT SHE DOES!lol.....the babys are healthy and only get it once in a while.What makes them happy makes me happy!

 

[lacyloo]

well most animal feed containes left overs from slaughter house,that they put in the feed so if it waz going to hurt them then they would already be dead no efenece

 

[Barb Schuetz]

Ok, what about this.......

Lets say that my chickens cannot get all the animal protein they require from free ranging- please note that I have 8 acres of which they can roam if they so choose. How can I help them fill that requirement naturally?

I know we have mice- I don't know whether or not any of my chickens are getting them. Could I give them a mouse from a trap or could I use a live mouse trap and "set them free" by the coop? That wouldn't be completely natural I know. I know that we have toads, although I don't think we have many lizards here in WI.

I do have stuff laying all over the place- sand boxes, goose pools, various toys(kid's and hubby's), misc. wood, etc. that I move around so that my chickeepoos can help themselves to all the creepy crawly things.

 

[PurpleChicken]

My friends who have or have had chickens laugh at me because
I worry about their diet. They say "They're chickens" & "You feed
them that?".

Things I make a point to feed them:
1-High quality feed with scratch mixed in
2-Spinach (We eat a lot of it)
3-Rice
4-EGG SHELLS AND LEFTOVERS - Does that qualify as chicken?
5-I free range them for at least an hour or two a day so they get
their share of bugs, weeds, dirt, etc..
6-Grit

Things I feed them cause I love em:
1-Apple and pear cores
2-Anything melon
3-Lettuce (Romaine, not iceburg)
4-English muffins
5-Oatmeal
6-CHICKEN-Bone and all
7-Scratch
8-Pasta & Pizza

THEY EAT EVERYTHING

I stay away from:
Raw tomatoes
Potatos
Hot dogs (Salt)
Anything rotten or old

Your concerns about feeding them chicken is unwarranted. Most animals
in the wild will consume their own. I have heard that if a human eats
a human it can cause madness but I seriously question that although
I won't try it either.

It does feel kinda wierd feeding them chicken and if you don't
feed them chicken I'm sure they'll be fine.

I'm still rather new at this but that is my 2 cents...

 

[MissPrissy]

We have giant slugs that come up to the backdoor every night where we feed the dog looking for dogfood scraps. We collect them and bring them to the coop in the mornings. I can't say setting a mouse cage would be different. The children consider it their part in helping make grade A eggs. I know people who buy a couple hundred fishbait crickets every week as treats for their chickens. My hens are an egg investment for the family but they are also pets. We call them working pets. The same as my new goats. I don't scrimp on their care, feed and treats. The healthier the chickens and goats are the better quality product they give to us. They all are spoiled! We have 10 acres of pasture and I am very sure they get plenty but it is part of our idea of good animal husbandry to provide well for their needs in any way we can - even collecting bugs, lizard and mice (sounds aweful to some people but it is no different than people who feed those huge pet snakes the live mice and things).

Edited to add:

Oh, I also boil eggs and feed them to my chickens along with whole grain day old bread (I get 20 - 30 loaves a week for free), vegetable and table scraps.

 

[CtlisencedArborist]

Omg theres a store in Putnam Ct that sells all there bread to people cheap!Im working on getting some from them cuz my wife is sick of buying wholegrain bread for me at 3$ a pop from the market,lol.....and i always tell her to get acouple.lol

 

[Barb Schuetz]

Why not raw tomatoes?
Mine won't eat boiled eggs but will eat quiche?