Question about feed

[Bridge]

Hi everyone,

I have a question & I'm hoping someone knows the answer.....

I have a small flock both laying hens & meat birds, I also have some Emu. In order to give my chickens more space to run around I let them forage in the Emu pen. This also means that they have access to the Emu's food which is Ratite feed. Do you think eating the Ratite feed harm my chickens? The only options are to restrict the chickens to their own run. Or, to remove the Emu feed, which means they won't have access during the day.

Any thoughts?

 

[Kevin565]

. Can you get a ingredient list of the Emu feed? Most likely the chickens should be fine.

 

[Bridge]

Hi there Kevin,

Thank you for responding so quickly! The sheet I have doesn't say what the ingredients are...

Ratite Grower:
Minimum crude protein 18%
Mimimum crude fat 3%
Maximum crude fibre 11%
Sodium (actual) 0.2%
Calcium (actual) 1.5%
Phosphorus (actual) 1%
Minimum vitamin A 19,200 i.u./kg
Minimum vitamin D-3 4090 i.u./kg
Mimimum vitamin E

Does this info help any? The info sheet says that I can contact the manufacturer for an ingredient list.....

Appreciate ANY thoughts, I'm trying to keep everyone healthy & happy!
Bridge

 

[Kevin565]

With those levels I don't think them occasionally eating some of the feed will be a problem. I've never had Emus before so I can not verify this though.

 

[Bridge]

Thanks again Kevin,

I'm a bit more reassured now! I like to let my chickens have a "free-range" experience, within a fenced yard.
Keeps everyone safe & the Emu don't seem to mind the company.

Have yourself a super day,
Bridge

 

[mickey328]

Could you elevate the Emus' food? They're just a tad taller than chickens (LOL) so I wondered if you could get most of it up out of the chick's reach.

Mickey

 

[Bridge]

Hi Mickey,

Yup! Emu's are definitely taller than chickens

I've tried to put the Emu feed higher, but the chickens fly up & perch on the side, while munching away.

Thanks,
Bridge

 

[mickey328]

Hi Bridge

They're just too clever by half, aren't they? Little critters, LOL. Have you clipped the wing feathers to keep them more "grounded"? So far, ours haven't shown any inclination to fly but then we've only had them a couple days. They're temporarily living in a rabbit hutch till the coop is finished and the top of the hutch is as far as I've seen them get off the ground. That's a good thing as our dogs are as new to chickens as I am and are eternally curious. I doubt they'd hurt them on purpose but they do spook 'em. Hoping they'll all get used to each other fairly soon. We're building the coop and run in two pieces for easier moves (we're just backyard "chickeners"), and the run will be enclosed and sturdy on all 5 sides. Right now they're in a temporary run made from poles and chicken wire. It's plenty to fence the chickens in but the dogs have a tendency to want to climb the dang thing!

Mickey