Newbie looking for advice on increasing protein in flock diet: Feather-pecking issue

[GertrudeLover01]

I've always fed live mealworms. Around the time I had the chicks, I had four lizards, and they will only eat live; maybe chickens are the same way? I would try it again, except this time a trip to Petco. Usually there is a little fridge, and I would go for the small ones... I never tried out the large ones on my birds (dragons love them too much

), but they'd probably enjoy those too.

My chickens love dried mealworms. Happy Hen Treats, one of the sponsors, has an awesome bag of them!

 

[gardentlc]

Mealworms are an excellent source of protein, I bought a few back at the end of March, and now have my own colony....Easy and much more cost effective!!!

 

[gardentlc]

When you feed the chickens mealworms, give them the smaller ones if they are still chicks....if you get the large ones, be sure to pinch off the head.... I read on here that it is a problem for baby chicks (with the super worms).

 

[joan1708]

I feed my chickens canned cat food every few days. They love it. The can says it is 9% protein, but it's also 82%water, 2.5% fat. Dry cat food says it's 34% protein (my chickens don't like dry cat food). They have never ate each others feathers, so, I don't know what to tell you about that. I'm just saying my chickens like cat food and I think it's pretty high in protein, and easy.

 

[Brookliner]

I give my flock cans of cheap tuna. They love it.

Cheap tuna is libel to have mercury in higher levels than you want your chickens consuming.

 

[smoothmule]

Fish meal or even raw fish (if you have a fisherman in the family, the chickens eat up remains when they clean fish). You can buy fish meal in bulk and add it to the feed to increase protein. I wouldn't feed cat food because of the sodium levels. Too little sodium in their diet isn't good but too much is worse. Raw meat is healthier than cooked and should include organ meat and even ground bone meal (raw). I wouldn't feed them cooked meats or deli meats or anything but fresh, real meat. Poultry need a variety much like we do. Meats, greens, fruits, cereals/grains..... all good.

 

[Spikes Chooks]

I also feed all kinds of meat and fish - but not processed in any way. Generally cooked and chopped finely (we have an elderly cat who needs tempting with full protein meat and fish rather than catfood, and the hens get the leftovers). They also love tinned sardines.

I have also purchased a liquid supplement for birds of trace elements and amino acids. I found it by searching online in vet supplies. It was recommended to me by someone here for a different reason - my Silver Campine continually produced completely shell less eggs. It did fix her problem, BTW. Anyway, in case you can track some down in the UK, may be worth a try. I mixed it in hot water then used that to soak their normal mash and they ate it, no problem.

Good luck

 

[Lacy Blues]

I also feed all kinds of meat and fish - but not processed in any way. Generally cooked and chopped finely (we have an elderly cat who needs tempting with full protein meat and fish rather than catfood, and the hens get the leftovers). They also love tinned sardines.

I have also purchased a liquid supplement for birds of trace elements and amino acids. I found it by searching online in vet supplies. It was recommended to me by someone here for a different reason - my Silver Campine continually produced completely shell less eggs. It did fix her problem, BTW. Anyway, in case you can track some down in the UK, may be worth a try. I mixed it in hot water then used that to soak their normal mash and they ate it, no problem.

Good luck

Could you share the name of this product please?

 

[sparkleeyes]

I also have a chicken producing shell-less eggs. Would be great to be able to help her out.

 

[GranmaEm]

I found the supplement!

"Janssen Game Bird Tonic is a specifically formulated liquid supplement for game birds. Containing Vitamins, Trace elements, Esential amino acids, Essential fatty acids and Electrolytes with added Nucleotides."

I am certainly going to give it a try! The Scarper spray has made a wonderful difference already, the bald spot is closing up.