How much cottage cheese can I feed to my flock?

[NickB79]

Hello all! My wife and I recently purchased a new house on 1.3 acres of land, and the previous owners threw in their flock of 8 chickens for us. 4 are Barred Rocks, while the other 4 appear to be New Hampshire Reds.

In addition to commercial chicken feed and vegetable scraps, I have access to an unlimited supply of cottage cheese, yogurt and sour cream. I work at the production plant of a major Midwest dairy company, and my supervisor allows me to take home as much unsaleable product as I want.

So, just how much dairy product can I safely feed my flock to supplement their feed? For the past week I have been providing them with one container (24 oz) per day, and they finish it all. Also, can they eat yogurt or sour cream as well? Thanks!

 

[AnnieOakley379]

Congrats on your new house & new flock.

I give mine cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese, & milk, & have had no ill effects. They really seem to like it, & the protein is good for them.

 

[greathorse]

I am not a nutrionist but if you have unlimited supply I would push the boundry. I think you would see lower egg performance or something of that nature before you see other signs of trouble.

I would guess they could eat a fair amount of those thins, especially the yogurt.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

About as much as they can clean up in fifteen minutes or so. It's a lot of water, protein, and calcium, but not much else.

.....Alan.