Giving a chicken scraps

[foureyeddragon]

I have been feeding my chicken bread as a treat in an attempt to get her to warm up to me and not run for the back of the coop whenever I stick my head in. However, I have noticed that she hasn't been touching her actual chicken food much recently. Is giving her scraps every day too often?

 

[chicmom]

Well, table scraps for chickens is a hot debate. I personally don't feed table scraps because of the reason you've mentioned--they eat less chicken feed. The layer feed is a nice, balanced diet for hens that lay eggs. I do free range my hens, so they get what nature provides as well.

You want to make sure you laying hens get enough calcium for strong egg shells. A little bit of bread each day won't hurt though, as long as you're not giving her a whole loaf!

Chickens are like kids--they will take the yummy snacks over the good-for-you stuff any day!

 

[foureyeddragon]

She hasn't shown any interest in laying eggs for me yet. I made her a nesting box, but she can't or is too afraid to jump up into it. I have her on a layer feed though. I have been feeding her the crust off of pizza, or the two heels on the bread, so not super huge amounts.

 

[hunter109]

i feed mine some bread and greens when i have them but most of the time they just get there feed or grass clippings to feed on

 

[littlesara11]

I have several young pullets that I recently added to my flock. They are currently seperate from the rest of the flock and the only way I can get them to come to me is to offer them small pieces of bread. I give them only whole wheat in small amounts whenever I go out to treat my big girls. This is the only way I can get them to warm up to me. I don't see anything wrong with giving them bread as long as it is in small amounts so it does not interfere with their regular ration. Remember they way to a chicken's heart is through their stomach. This approach has worked well for me and my girls come running when they see me come out of the house. Best of luck. Oh by the way, my girls alsolove rasins and dried cranberries.

 

[Peeps4me]

I give my girls bits of bread on occasion and oh my, do they love raisins. I also use 100% whole grain old fashioned oaks. They love it so I hope it's okay for them. My girls come running when they see me, so the treats you are using should gets your girl to warm up in time. Is she by herself? Maybe she is lonely and needs a companion also.

 

[foureyeddragon]

She is currently by herself, I am working on getting another hen, I wanted to get my coop a little more set up first though. Now that I have that all set hopefully I will be able to get another hen soon. Funny you should mention raisins, I tried those last night, wasn't nearly as interested in those as she is in bread. She loves bread.

I let her out again this morning after a week of being in the coop. Scattered food around her favorite spot under the bird feeder (and within easy viewing of my house) hoping that she goes back to her coop tonight and I don't end up having to get her out of a tree...again.

 

[hunter109]

i am going to start to intrduce my chicks in with the big girls in a big cage so they dont get hurt by the big girls well then i will feed them all togather