Making your own forage cakes

[Egg_newton]

I've read that suet is a no-no and the Farmer's Helper Forage Cakes and Purina Flock Blocks are so expensive and impossible to find locally.
Does anyone have any recipes for making your own?

 

[Bookworm chick]

I'm curious too. Hopefully someone will have a recipe. I like the idea of the forage cakes, but can't justify spending the amount plus shipping.

 

[Equus5O]

Is peanut butter okay for chickens?

My mother has been making her own cakes for the wild birds, and the base is peanut butter.

 

[Peeper7]

So cool to find this post! Just yesterday I was thinking of how to do the same thing. My birds are currently over crowded and I need to keep them busy. The purina block is $10.00 and unless I can rig up something they will perch and poop all over it. Also I have 3 pens of chicks.

MY thought was to use scratch grains (since my birds are babies and I don't know what else is ok) and make up something like popcorn balls or rice krispy marshmallow treats. Make blocks or whatever -- hanging treats.

Or like they do for wild birds smear it into pine cones.

I know the sugar is not good for them tho -- ?? tooth decay

 

[Egg_newton]

I ordered me a flock block. It is supposed to be in next Wednesday. I'm going to take a portion of it to study and see if I can make something similar. It listed molasses maybe that is how it sticks together. I like that the forage cake has DE in it but it is $10-16 for a 2.5# block. When I make my own I'm gonna put some in it. I found where you can get a 50# bag on ebay for $55 with shipping. That is the cheapest I've found. Does anyone know where to get it for less?

I hadn't thought about the pooping and perching. Going to have to think about that one too...

 

[homeschoolmama]

I've never tried it, (always wanted to) but I've seen recipes for making wild bird blocks using unflavored gelatin as a binder. You'd have to keep it form getting wet or it will dissolve. As I recall you would mix the gelatin w/ less water than if making gelatin to eat.

 

[schoebel_taylor]

Quote:
Why is suet bad for chickens? I give my chickens a suet cake once or twice a week in the winter and they do fine? Im not trying to argue, im just wondering why you're not supposed to give to them.

 

[Egg_newton]

Something about all of the fat causing heart attacks??? and it going rancid.

 

[schoebel_taylor]

Really? Well i guess i wont give them suet anymore. thanks for the tip.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

I thought molasses worked like laxative on chickens. I like the peanut butter idea but what about the oil? Hmmm very interesting. I like the Purina Flock Blocks but they are so expensive here. I think I paid 14 something for the last one I bought. Maybe someone that makes dog treats could add some insight.