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

[GranmaEm]

http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/welfare/documents/featherpecking.pdf

This is quite interesting.

I am wondering if all the visits to the flock with the recovering Polish hen did not contribute to the problem.

The note on Sodium deficiency is fascinating too: - perhaps the unused cans of catfood need another chance!

 

[GranmaEm]

As is this: Encouraging foraging and pecking through dietary fibre.

http://www.worldpoultry.net/Layers/...-prevent-feather-pecking-in-layers-WP010372W/

 

[GranmaEm]

I am hopeful. I have restricted my time in the run and taken to spying on the "criminal" from the porch. I haven't seen any pecking over the past day and the Polish doesn't have a larger bald spot.

I wonder how much of this is stress induced by my well-meant "attention".

 

[TERRY4]

Read "home mixed rations" down the page on this link. May help a little.

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/94/feeding-chickens-for-best-health-and-performance

 

[TREX]

My Cream Legbar is feather-pecking my rescue Polish hen. After wading through the academic papers and practical advice here I don't think the root cause is aggression. She surgically goes for the feathers near the preen gland and no skin is broken.

The area they free-range in by day (bearing in mind there's only 3 full-grown chooks) is at least 150 square meters and in there I have planted them a chicken vegetable garden, provided a climbing frame and offer fruit once a day.

They are fed an ad-lib high quality layers mash with added freeze-dried mealworms (I calculated the amount added to increase dietary protein to 22%). A small handful of scratch grains is provided just before dusk.

I tried a DEFRA approved bumper bit for all of three hours, but I am as distressed as the chicken at her inability to forage and eat normally, so would like to keep on trying to find a dietary solution.

I am in the UK and can't seem to find game-bird feed that contains animal protein ( which seems to be recommended).

I have tried cooked egg (which was ignored) and processed cat-food (which seems over-processed).

What do people suggest?

Because of the tiny size of the "flock" cost isn't an issue for now.

My hens like yogurt. The also love boiled eggs. Alpo dog food is another favorite, if they can steal from the dogs, lol! You could also try fish fillets. I gave mine a leftover tilapia fillet and they nearly took my arm off trying to get some.

 

[TREX]

Beef liver appears to have the highest content by weight of these two essential amino acids.

I have a recipe for fresh beef liver dog treats somewhere that I bet chickens would eat if you crumpled them a bit.I'll look for it and try to post it later if you want.

 

[GranmaEm]

I have a recipe for fresh beef liver dog treats somewhere that I bet chickens would eat if you crumpled them a bit.I'll look for it and try to post it later if you want.

That would be wonderful! Thank you.

 

[TREX]

That would be wonderful! Thank you

Your welcome!

Homemade liver dog cookies

1 pound raw liver(any kind)
1 cup flour
1/2 cup corn meal
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Mix well and bake at 350 for a 1/2 hour for chewy treats longer for crispy.

My dogs like the chewy textured ones the best. They retain more flavor. They can be crumbled like any soft cookie and fed to the chickens that way. Hope they like them!

 

[sparkleeyes]

I never thought of feeding my birds ground beef. Sounds very interesting. I fed mushed up hard boiled eggs, but only to the baby chicks.

 

[motorboat]

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