Feeding Chickens Fish Food

[Chick CJ]

Has anyone ever given their chickens fish food for a treat? I am raising tilapia in my backyard along with my chickens and they were free ranging around the pond when I doropped some of the fish food pellets on the ground. Man they ate them up so fast. I do not know the exact list of ingredients in the pellets but I do know it is a good protien source. Anyone out there know if this is safe as a treat? My barred rock bantam who just started laying this week is going around picking my bigger girls bottom feathers and eating them and I understand this may be a sign she needs more protein. If the fish pellets are okay for the chickens then this could be a nice way to give it to her. Any ideas?
CJ

 

[ArizonaNessa]

I am sorry to say I don't know if it is safe or not but I have a small little pond thing with a few gold fish in it and when I throw the pellets in there anything that gets near the sides, my girls grab right out of the water!. It's rather amusing to watch chickens fish

I really don't see how it could hurt them to have a little. Everything in moderation. Unless it has some sort of medication for fish in it. I say go for it but not as a constant diet. They need their chicken food.

 

[Chick CJ]

I just knew there would be someone else on here with fish who's girls would love the fish food!

I feed my girls layer mash, always available and I throw them a hand full of scratch as a treat. Sometimes I give them veggies and fruit and they free range pretty much all day.
I have a barred rock bantam that just began laying a week ago and she is picking feathers out of the bottoms of my big girls. I was told it was a sign of needing protein. I bought some black sunflower seeds yesterday but after they scarfed up the fish food so quick I just thought it would be nice to use if I ran out since it is so high in protein.

 

[nop169]

We also have supplemented with fish food for the call ducks, turkeys & chickens - usually I add it in the mix in the spring for added protein in order to condition the birds & encourage laying. I generally mix 1/3 laying pellet 1/3 scratch & 1/3 fish food when using it - use a 5 way scratch (has sunflower in it). Works well for us & the birds all look great - seems to add a shine to their feathers and they lay up a storm!

 

[chucksohiki]

I feed my birds catfish food. I talk to Toni-Marie on the phone one day and she told me about that it is a good way to give them protein. My birds love to eat it and so far they are doing good.

 

[Chick CJ]

This is excellent information. Thank you all so much. I am greatly encouraged by this!
CJ

 

[SecretHavenFarm]

My friends hens always followed to her pond when she fed her koi. She swore their color improved after eating for awhile!

 

[Diannastarr]

i saw on you tube a wile back that a woman feed koi food to her chickens & says its great for them...? i have no idea , but i was thinking if its made from fish it might be a great idea..?? i was just looking into this subject today , so if you have found out anything any one..? let us all know, but it sounds promising thanks

 

[RonP]

You could feed koi food as a treat, but for what reason.

It is on the expensive side...at just over 32% or so protein.

 

[Diannastarr]

about cat fish food , my good friend who is very knowledgeable about these things , told me that fish food may turn the eggs a fishy flavor,

so golly we cant have that...

...lol.. all my egg customers would freak out....lol...

so it looks like we will be adding some of this cat fish food we purchased a wile back , into our roosters feed as they go through the molt in winter and even after

so any thing that will help keep our show quality roosters remaining gorgeous will always be most welcome..!!!

& time will tell what fish food can do for them ..??.....lol..