ideas on what you feed you layers

[henpecked4ever]

for the past couple of months i have fed my 8 hens layenna crumbles mixed with standard hen scratch. the wife also picks some grass for them each day as her treat to them. yep they are spoiled. i was wondering if i could add some alfalfa pellets as well without hurting them. the weather is about to get warm her in north Texas and i don't want to feed them anything to "hot" any ideas from you guys out there.

 

[Sarahchic]

Well, other then this topic may be better responded to in the "Feeding and Watering" section, I generally stop feeding my hens scratch when it begins to warm up. During the Summer I like to give them yogurt mixed with some of their ground up egg shells, oatmeal and a sprinkle of wheat germ. I buy large bags of torn up collard greens and give a bit to them almost every day. Also, during the summer they love melons of all kinds, especially watermelons. Also try to give them other fruits and veggies mixed in with their yogurt, like broccoli, tomatoes, peaches and almost any kind of berry.

 

[thaiturkey]

Are we talking about cooped hens or hens that are free to forage for some of their diet?

We had cooped layers for a while and the cost of feed was high, even when supplemented with kitchen scraps. We now have a few young banties that are free to forage dawn 'til dusk. They also get some kitchen vegetable scraps and have liking for cooked rice.

I'd be interested in the replies to the OP and to know whether we need to do more before the hens start to lay.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Soaking alfalfa pellets for a few hours turns them into a soft, green goo. A little goes a looooooooong way. I mix the green goo into their layer mash. They don't exactly LOVE alfalfa mixed in, but they eat it. It's relatively high in protein and filled with good nutrients. I especially feed it in winter when there is no grass.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Myth buster. Feeding scratch or corn does not make chickens hot.

 

[thaiturkey]

Is there any feed that's bad in hot weather?

 

[chickened]

Is there any feed that's bad in hot weather?

Chickens usually eat less in hot weather and rest more so there is nothing really bad for them... other than no water of course. Chicken dust to cool down in the summer also. A steady all purpose feed is actually better for chickens than treats. Think of it this way treats are like junkfood to a chicken, they will ignore balanced ration for treats which leads to health issues.

 

[thaiturkey]

Thanks for that.

We seem to have it about right then, given that they can do as they wish and there is plenty of water and natural feed. Perhaps we should get a bag of feed as the supplement just to make sure.