Head's up on Flock Block.

[churchx3]

Bought a flock block from TSC a couple of weeks back and have noticed that since I introduced it my chickens are eating only the flock block and whatever treats I supply...they seem to have quit eating their layer pellet almost entirely. Yesterday I found a liquid egg in the coop indicating they are not getting sufficient calcium. So while flocks blocks can be good it would appear it's like feeding candy to kids, all they want is the candy no "real food".... in the future I think I will possibly just buy the small suet cakes and feed those to them once or twice a month. Any others have this experience?

 

[pringle]

Thanks for the info!

 

[abhaya]

here is a home made alternative to flock block you can make it in small amounts
I make it into balls about the size of a baseball and use as a treat for my non free range silkies. you dont have to use bird seed you can use boos or what ever you want.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups water
4 1/4 ounce pkgs. Knox unflavored gelatin
8 cups birdseed

Boil 1 1/2 cup water.
Empty the 4 packages of gelatin into 8 tablespoons of cold water in a large bowl.
Let the gelatin sit for 1 minute.
Add the boiling water and stir for 2 to 3 minutes or until the gelatin has dissolved.
Stir 8 cups of birdseed into the gelatin, mixing thoroughly.
Let the mixture set for a few minutes, then stir again. Repeat this process a few times allowing the seed to absorb the liquid.
Spoon the mixture into a greased bundt pan and put in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.

Remove the wreath from the mold by inverting the pan and tapping along the bottom. The pan may need to warm to room temperature before the wreath will come out.
Allow the wreath to dry on a cooling rack overnight or longer if necessary.