my chickens are jeelous of the dog....

[Cluckin'Crazy4them]

We started to keep the dog.dish outside since our toddler has shown too much interest in it. But now the chickens are after it. They only manage to get a couple kibbles here and there and The dog doesn't seem to mind at all, I think she even likes having someone to eat with, but im concerned that it will give them an impacted crop. I chase them away and they seem rather resentful now. They won't come near me! Is a little dog food okay? Is it unhealthy? It's IAMS, so it's meat, meat, and then corn. Does anyone have any knowledge to calm my worried mind?

 

[mommissan]

I give mine dog food all the time, as a treat. It won't hurt them. I soak it in water before though, to make sure it doesn't expand in their crop.

 

[justbugged]

It shouldn't hurt the hens, but I wouldn't feed my dog any food with corn in it. Dogs can not digest corn.

 

[hcppam]

they wiil be fine.

 

[Cluckin'Crazy4them]

Just noticed how I spelled jealous in the title... Whoops

I am relieved that it won't harm them! I underestimate just how much variety of foods chickens can eat! If I ever give them as treats I will definitely soften it! Good pointer! And, where I shop, Iams is the most affordable food that isn't pure corn unless I want to break the bank! Our dog gets lots of veggies, eggs, fruit, and cereal (thanks to the toddler) lol
Thanks guys for the piece of mind!

 

[NickyPick]

Ha. My chickens come running when I head out to the pen with the feed for the one horse that eats outside. They gather around her and wait for anything to drop and pounce on it. They'd be in her pan eating with her, if she'd let them!

 

[TN_BIRD]

Heck....my wife is jealous of my dog.

 

[ChickInDelight]

I had to stop feeding my cats on the porch rail because the chickens made hogs of themselves. The cats were very polite in letting the chickens eat first - but what a mess - and who can afford that much catfood?

I suspect you will need to find a different solution for your dog. Likely, your child would eat far less dogfood than the chickens.

 

[vclark321]

That is funny. My dog is jealous of my chickens! My mastiff will push her way into the run and take the chickens treat bowl and carry it to a different part of the yard and eat it. If I throw a tomato out in the yard for the chickens to eat she will chase it and eat it herself. I give the chickens dog food and they love it. I do soak it in water to soften it. Chickens are omnivores and they eat everything. From what I read, it is one of the reasons they don't have feathers on their face. My dog is really good with the chickens, but she takes their food. I like giving the girls treats, but I have to do it on the sly so the dog doesn't see!