Food for mixed flock

[Loverexnchicks]

Hi so I’m currently stressed again. My dad went out and bought horse food and scratch for the chickens and turkeys to feed them regularly instead of proper feed. No matter how much I persuade him or how much I tell him, he doesn’t listen to me and thinks he’s in the right since he used to have chickens when he was young. First he fed them dog food, then corn, then scratch, and now horse food. Everything except mixed flock food whenever I’m not there. (Whenever I go with him to buy food I force him to buy mixed flock food so do chickens do get some proper nutrition but waste most of it since they’re used to being fed treats so often by my dad) The chickens free range everyday in the yard but i feel like they won’t be getting proper nutrition from this, and I can’t do anything. I just want to know if the chickens will be fine living off of this food to calm my nerves, I just want the best for them. Additionally the turkeys are broad breasted whites being kept as pets so this food will for sure make them obese and lower their quality of life.

 

[CascadiaRiver]

If he refuses to listen and is unwilling to read or learn about the topic, unfortunately sounds like he'll have to learn the hard way as his birds get weak, obese, suffer malnutrition, likely reduce or stop laying eggs, and develop egg laying issues, and likely some will die over time. Sometimes people need to learn from their own mistakes

 

[StinkyAcres]

If he refuses to listen and is unwilling to read or learn about the topic, unfortunately sounds like he'll have to learn the hard way as his birds get weak, obese, suffer malnutrition, likely reduce or stop laying eggs, and develop egg laying issues, and likely some will die over time. Sometimes people need to learn from their own mistakes

I'm not sure he will learn...there are a lot of people who think it's normal for chickens to live about three years, stop laying, then die. This is, of course, untrue if the chickens are healthy. Mine continue to lay past 7 years of age.

I'd say try wetting or even fermenting the chicken feed when you get it. It might make it more appealing and will be more nutritious if you ferment.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Hi so I’m currently stressed again. My dad went out and bought horse food and scratch for the chickens and turkeys to feed them regularly instead of proper feed. No matter how much I persuade him or how much I tell him, he doesn’t listen to me and thinks he’s in the right since he used to have chickens when he was young. First he fed them dog food, then corn, then scratch, and now horse food. Everything except mixed flock food whenever I’m not there. (Whenever I go with him to buy food I force him to buy mixed flock food so do chickens do get some proper nutrition but waste most of it since they’re used to being fed treats so often by my dad) The chickens free range everyday in the yard but i feel like they won’t be getting proper nutrition from this, and I can’t do anything. I just want to know if the chickens will be fine living off of this food to calm my nerves, I just want the best for them. Additionally the turkeys are broad breasted whites being kept as pets so this food will for sure make them obese and lower their quality of life.

I remember your original post, but I can’t recall: are these just his birds, or do you co-own them?

If the first, I guess welcome to learning how to create boundaries. It’s heartbreaking to watch something like this, but try to keep it from breaking your heart.

If you co-own, you now have a real problem. Can you buy him out, or do something similar to keep him from (inadvertently) harming your birds?

 

[Loverexnchicks]

I remember your original post, but I can’t recall: are these just his birds, or do you co-own them?

If the first, I guess welcome to learning how to create boundaries. It’s heartbreaking to watch something like this, but try to keep it from breaking your heart.

If you co-own, you now have a real problem. Can you buy him out, or do something similar to keep him from (inadvertently) harming your birds?

Technically they’re his chickens since he bought them but I do most the caring for them so I’m pretty attached to them. Im not sure it’s complicated but I suppose we co-own and since he buys the feed I don’t really have a choice on what to feed them.

 

[Loverexnchicks]

Than

I'm not sure he will learn...there are a lot of people who think it's normal for chickens to live about three years, stop laying, then die. This is, of course, untrue if the chickens are healthy. Mine continue to lay past 7 years of age.

I'd say try wetting or even fermenting the chicken feed when you get it. It might make it more appealing and will be more nutritious if you ferment.

Thank you for the advice I’ll try fermenting! Hopefully they like it