PROTEIN

[Farmer Kitty]

Black oil sunflower seeds have 30% protein and methione which is an amino acid required for feather growth.

 

[dlhunicorn]

birds get bored in the winter time...hang some greens wrapped in chicken wire or (if you have a cheap source for them) I use melons cut in half for "bowls" and put their feed in there...gives them something else to peck at. I also give them live mealworms in the winter and sprouted seeds.

 

[CovenantCreek]

For protein you can supplement with powdered fish meal.

 

[SeaChick]

I have also been feeding chopped (cooked) beef heart this week. It came with the whole cow we got and I just cannot bring myself to eat it. Liver, I am OK with. Making soup from the backbones, OK.... but something about the heart just grosses me out too much.

The chickens, on the other hand, ADORE it! I have been feeding about 1/2 cup chopped heart each morning, along with lettuce leaves.

Stacey

 

[cheeptrick]

Mine get Boss, green mountain organic layer feed, oyster shell, and poultry grit all mixed together daily. Then I give them scratch...this morning they got a whole head of romaine lettuce, 5 nice roma tomatoes, left over Mammoth Sugar Snap peas from my garden last summer, and oatmeal the kids didn't eat from breakfast.
They get about 3-4 lbs of my layer MIX morning and then again at night before lock down. I do ONLY occassionally give cracked corn...they LOVE this stuff PLUS its wicked CHEAP.
I feared mine were picking too...but it appears they are molting! This flock of 20 EE's was started last spring...so guess its time to molt.

I love opening the coop up in the morning...feeding them...watering them...watching them...its like a GREAT big Xmas present every time I collect eggs!

 

[therealsilkiechick]

soybean meal added to feed will up protein also. i used to add it to feed for quails when i raised them. they need it upped due to their fast growing. it works great the only prob i had is ya had to buy it in 100lb sacs at the feedstore but ya in no way need that much. a little goes along way. i'd have to ask dh if he can remember the amouts and percentages. meal worms work also we'd buy them off ebay or someone local give them to them as treats.
silkie