Flock Block...was it a mistake?

[gale65]

I think I'm going to wait until we actually have snow on the ground and the chickens want to stay in the coop more before I put out a flock block.

 

[Chickenaddict]

Flock blocks are mostly used for flocks who have pecking issues to keep them from getting tooo bored. My birds don't like it at all, in fact I had one in their coop over winter since they hate being out in the cold and they barely touched it. I ended up tossing it out into the yard for the wild birds this spring.

 

[kuntrychick]

I'm not sure it's a coincidence or just wrong timing or what, but I had put out a Purina Flock Block. The chickens STAYED at the flock block & I noticed they weren't eating their food. They devoured it in about a week I think it was.

Shortly thereafter, started seeing feathers everywhere (molting) & NO EGGS!

Like I said, this may have been going to happen anyway due to this time of year, so I cant blame the flock block. It was just weird the way that timing worked out. It got me wondering if the flock block's lack of nutrients they're used to triggered the molting.

I would rather my chickens get their main nutrition from their feed. Now, if I put a flock block out, I will only put it out a couple of evenings a week like before they turn in for the night.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I put some flock blocks out for my birds in the free range flock and in breeding pens. It took them forever to finally eat it down. Then I realized, they are already getting fed lots of whole grains just the way nature intended so they didn't need it in block style. It was nice to have there for them in case they ran out of anything to munch on but my birds stay in grass most of the time anyhow so get plenty of foods.

I say let them have it as whole grains are great for them. They will eat only what they need. If they eat the corn it is because they need it.

 

[al6517]

Stop feeding milk in the mash. chickens are lactose intolerant, they don't handle milk well and as an everyday supplement it may cause some issues. I personaly would scale back on the gourmet buffet, they're chickens not A listers LOL. remember the old addage K.I.S.S. it does work.

 

[Marcymom3]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I guess I've been lucky with mine, the milk in the oats has not caused any problem that I can see. HAHA, al6517...A listers??

I think it's definitely best to get the flock block out of their run as soon as the rain lets up. Hopefully can get them back to eating their layer feed and just a little BOSS in the evening. They work at stirring up the pine shavings in the coop to get them.

 

[SteveBaz]

I had one in the coop this summer and short of a few pecks Nada!! I was surprised bc it looked delicious at the store!!

 

[dragonlair]

I make my own for winter feeding with what I want in it. I put in a little bit of cracked corn but not like the commercial ones have. I use BOSS, crushed eggs shells, bits of dried meats, chick grower pellets, flax seed, kitten kibble etc and hold it all together with the fat I have melted off the meat and fat scraps I get for the dogs. I put it in bowls or cans until it hardens and then give it to the girls to snack on.

 

[Marcymom3]

Quote:
How many chickens do you have? about how much do the bowls/cans hold? That's a good idea! I was wondering about doing something like that. In the winter I make suet blocks for the wild birds using lard, peanut butter, mixed birdseed, peanuts, any stale crackers or cereal I have around, and some cayenne pepper to slow the squirrels down. I guess I could do the same for the chickens? Can they have peanuts? I don't recall seeing anything on here about that so far.

 

[redhen]

You can make your OWN flock block with different healthy things for them..
Do a search on here for flock blocks..
And yeah, i would use water to cook the oatmeal..
Although the milk may give them extra calcium... hummm... not sure what to do there..