How often should I give table scraps?

[cristina]

I have been giving them scraps every day. In the morning when I go out to collect eggs, and let them out of their coop, and say good morning, I usually come with treats to give them (last nights left overs, etc). I have only had my hens for a week, but it seems they are used to this and expecting it. Should I "discipline" them (is this possible)? Or is it fine to give them scraps every day. They follow me around if I am in their run area. Today, I went in their run with a plate of food for them, and one of them flew up to the plate! Is this normal? Is it good? I don't really like it. I don't want them to hound me for food.

 

[Imp]

Chickens are pretty much "all about the food". Don't think discipline will help.
Everyday is OK, it is generally recommended that treats be kept to about 10% of their diet or less.

Imp- Course the more treats they get, the fatter they will get, the less able to fly they will get.

 

[Squirrelgirl88]

I've been taking Yogurt to my ladies once a week for breakfast - DH says I'm spoiling them. I love watching them splash it everywhere. The Rooster looks funny with yogurt on his wattles for the rest of the morning.

I have not given them food scraps other than fruit and veggies. They don't seem to like veggies at all, no peas, no green beans, no broccoli or cauliflower. Gee - like kids they only want the sweet stuff. Grapes and Bananas are the favorites.

 

[darkmatter]

Quote:
I've been doing this for years. I keep a "chicken bucket" in the kitchen with a handful of scratch in it that receives all my kitchen food preparation scraps, cooking liquids/oils, and leftovers not fit for human eats that I toss out to the chickens every morning, then repeat.

 

[mulewagon]

Actually, their obsession with treats is useful - when I want to go in the pen, I throw the treats over the fence away from the gate, so they won't slip out when I open it. If I don't have leftovers, I pull up some clumps of grass.