Flock blocks

[ddmiddle7]

I just saw these on the TSC website and wondered what everyone thought about them. Are the good or bad? Just curious...I thought it would keep them busy for a little while....

http://www.tractorsupply.com/livest...lock-trade-sunfresh-reg-recipe-20-lb--6019861

 

[gale65]

No idea but if you look here there is a thread about a million pages long (maybe not quite that long) with homemade flock block recipes. I think most only use them in the winter.

eta: I think this is the thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=111647

 

[ddmiddle7]

Quote:
Thanks, I will check that out when I get a few days to read it...lol I will skim through it for some recipes.

 

[char259]

I bought one from TSC - and my girls love it. I'll definitely go back for another one.

 

[Wimberleytexaschick]

I bought a flock block from TSC a few weeks ago and put it in a large run (25'x50') that is getting low on grass with 19- 2 month old Brahmas. They have been slowly enjoying it. I can tell they are pecking at it, but not constantly. I would definitely buy another, or maybe try to make one next time. I keep it in a square plastic supplement block holder (from our horses) so that there is no ground waste or sitting in dirt- a large plastic lid or something of the sort would work the same.

 

[noitulover]

Mine didn't go nuts over it, but did eventually finish it. Mine love scratch a lot more or table scraps. I got them to start pecking at it by breaking it into about 4 pieces. I'm not sure if the outside is so tough, and my chickens are so lazy, that they just didn't want to bother, or if the smell was more pungent once broken up...

 

[MaggieRae]

I buy them for my hens every now and then. The hens seem to really like them and gobble them up. I stopped buying the blocks though when we had the rain, because they melted into the mud.

 

[gryeyes]

I bought one from my favorite feed store, just to try it on my flock. They liked it a lot, and there seems to be less picking on the smaller chickens (bantams and broody-raised chicks). So I'll buy 'em again, every once in a while.

 

[teach1rusl]

I think quite a few folks use them in the winter time to help deter boredom. Keep in mind though that they're only like 9 or 10% protein, so you wouldn't want them to only/mostly eat those since it's a treat.

 

[whitehousechix]

I just keep one in the coop for them, they seem to work on it every once in a while,