How to feed tankage?

[CARS]

I agree with treating the wounds but it wouldn't hurt to up the protein either.

What are you feeding them now??? I would think that anything over 16% wouldn't be a deficiency problem. Girls can be mean sometimes

 

[Shoshana]

Isn't feeding animal byproducts to animals some sort of no-no, re: mad cow disease, etc.?

 

[CARS]

Quote:
I don't have the whole answer but I think because chickens are carnivorous you can feed them animal products.
It's when an animal like a cow who is a herbivore that feeding animal products is bad.

(I think that is right

)

 

[Shoshana]

Quote:
That makes sense to me!

 

[LittleFeat]

I don't feed animal by-products or rendered fats to any of my animals. There is so much info on it that I am not going to go into why, but do a google search of the pet food industry. My chickens are pets AND I eat the eggs they produce. If I thought my chickens needed more protein, I'd supplement with BOSS or hard boiled eggs etc.

 

[cajuninky]

They are picking at the wounds and I am considering the "blue" spray I use on my horses. Didn't know if that might do more harm than good as it might give them something "different" to target. I think the thing that spread the mad cow was that they fed diseased animal by products back to healthy animals. I think I will just mix some of the tankage into their feed. I am feeding a mix of whole corn (very small amount), 12% horse mix ( makes up half their feed ), and laying pellets. They also get vegetable scraps from time to time.

 

[CARS]

Quote:
I have heard alot of people using the blue coat with great success.

Wouldn't it just be easier to get your flock some chicken feed? It sounds like a bunch of extra work blending that formula together and you really don't know what your protein % actually is.

 

[Wynette]

The problem is the wounds - any time chickens see blood, they will relentlessly pick at the wound until the wounded one is dead if you can't catch it before that. Sounds awful...and it is. But, it's just the way chickens are.

If the wounds are on their backs, you can treat with triple strenght antibiotic ointment - then, I would cover with a chicken saddle to prevent recurrence.

Make sure they have plenty of outdoor access...if they have other things to do (like free range), it'll keep their minds off of pecking each other.

ETA: I feed a layer pellet that I drive an hour to get because it's made with animal protein. Chickens eat bugs, worms, and the like - that's animal protein...they do need it in their diets, and I find my girls have had less health issues with this feed over one such as Purina's Layena, but that's only MY experience.

 

[LittleFeat]

I want to clarify my previous post before it gets misunderstood....I have nothing against animal protein....just animal by-products which can include almost any part of an animal and rendered animal fat which can often include road-kill animals and veterinary waste as well. I'm not trying to stir anything up just want to advise that you research and know the source of the feeds you purchase and exactly what the terminology can really mean then you make your decisions that are right for you based on that.

 

[Keri78]

The problem is the wounds - any time chickens see blood, they will relentlessly pick at the wound until the wounded one is dead if you can't catch it before that. Sounds awful...and it is. But, it's just the way chickens are.

If the wounds are on their backs, you can treat with triple strenght antibiotic ointment - then, I would cover with a chicken saddle to prevent recurrence.

Make sure they have plenty of outdoor access...if they have other things to do (like free range), it'll keep their minds off of pecking each other.

I think Wynette said it!!!

I would take the wounded ones out and let them free range until they get healed up. Some roos are just rough on the girls and this may be an ongoing issue...I think someone else on here had to clip her roos nails b/c he kept scratching the girls when mating. If you can't free range your girls so they can get a break then go for the chicken saddles! They are GREAT and if you know someone who sews they could woop you up a few in no time! Check around on here too maybe someone would make you a few cheaper than buying retail. I think the spray sounds great...but they need to be aloud to free range or at least seperated temporarily while they heal up.

Well, now you know where to come when you want all the answers to life's big questions!!!

Oh yeah &