It's almost time to switch scratch to something different.. Any ideas?

[NYREDS]

Actually corn doesn't raise a chicken's body temperature any more than it raises yours. Chickens, being warm blooded creatures, have biological mechanisms that control their body temperature. Corn provides a ready source of calories which can be especially useful in cold weather when the body is burning more calories [fuel] to keep warm. In hot weather the body needs fewer calories to maintain normal body temperature so feeding a high calorie food like corn can increase body fat but it doesn't raise the body temperature. Follow the science.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Thanks for clarifying that! I've always been told that it raises the body temp. and that it isn't good to give it to them in hot weather. The calorie thing does make a lot of sense and would follow the "do not feed in hot weather" rule. I appreciate you sharing that with me.

Either way, to hot or to fat, both cause health issues so it's best to avoid giving corn in the hot summer months.

 

[sweet_peeps]

Thanks for that, NYREDS.
I was also told it would cause heat.

So it would be a good thing if you had a skinny hen to help fatten her up a bit without having to worry about heatstroke?

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I did find cabbage on sale for $0.38 a pound at the WalMart Supercenter and bought a great big head for my chickens. I cut it in half and dropped a piece in each of the two pens. They pecked away at it until there was absolutely nothing left!

Sometimes I find if I'm introducing a new food item to the chickens it becomes more popular if I leave some on each side of the dividing fence between the two pens. If the birds on one side see those on the other side eating the new food, they'll be more encouraged to try it too.

 

[Linda in San Diego]

Quote:
Heck, I buy one head of cabbage for us and one for the Delightful Dozen. I cut ours up and use in various ways, but for the DDozen, I leave it whole or cut it in 1/2 and toss out for them. They of course the core and leftover leaves from ours. They love it and it is pleny cheap.

They also get grass I pick from the fence line where DS can't seem to manage to cut with the wacker. They love that too.

 

[Linda in San Diego]

Also at the corner farmer's market, I pick up bags of produce for 99cents, stuff that is about to go bad. So this week the Delightful Dozen had 4 tomatoes, 6 mexican squash, 2 ears of corn, and 2 bananas since my trip to the market on Saturday. They love it and I love giving them the variety - - since they have picked their part of the yard BARE!

 

[gumpsgirl]

Quote:
Oh yes! Cabbage is usually a "rainy day" favorite here! I always get a head and cut it into fours then put it in the four corners of the coop to give them something to pick out when they can't go outside.

 

[amcstay]

Mine love yogurt with peanut butter and rolled oats mixed up. Sends them to the moon.