Salt water block for chickens

[Cryss]

Seems to me salt blocks are made specifically for cows, hoses, deer, mammals in general. I don't think I've seen a salt block made and marketed for fowl. That seems to mean something.

 

[aart]

Seems to me salt blocks are made specifically for cows, hoses, deer, mammals in general. I don't think I've seen a salt block made and marketed for fowl. That seems to mean something.

That was my thought....
..and don't they sometimes contain other minerals too?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

 

[Peepsi]

Seems to me salt blocks are made specifically for cows, hoses, deer, mammals in general. I don't think I've seen a salt block made and marketed for fowl. That seems to mean something.

Yeah....chickens don't use salt blocks...they like it crushed. Every chicken book I've read says that if you're feeding them home-mixed feed that does not include enough salt, you will probably want to put salt in a separate hopper, "free choice" for the chickens. Feeds like Purina Flock Grower or Layena or any of the other Purina/other brand feeds are complete, and supplemental salt is not needed.

But to say chickens *never* need salt is not always true, as some people feed them diets that may not have enough salt in them.

However, like with humans, usually the problem is too much salt, not too little.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

If this particular block is flavored like apple and is sweet, salty, and contains other minerals, there is no way to guess why the chickens are
pecking at it. But there’s a serious chance they may OD on salt, which could be a big problem. I would move the horse’s block out of reach, and double check the nutrient label on your chicken feed. Do they have access to oyster shell? They might be seeking calcium.

 

[Kiki]

Can I crush a salt water block a put small portions of it in the chicken waterer? They keep getting into the horse barn and are pecking at the block! I wonder if I gave them small quantities of it I could actually get them to stop trying to eat the block. I buy the Sturdy Steed candy apple block. Thank you.

Do you feed your chickens a commercially made poultry feed?

 

[aart]

But to say chickens *never* need salt is not always true, as some people feed them diets that may not have enough salt in them.

I don't think @Cryss meant to imply that chickens don't need salt.

 

[Folly's place]

I have salt and trace mineral blocks out for the horses and cattle, and if any chickens nibble at either type, it's so little I've never noticed.
The birds get a complete feed (Flock Raiser) and oyster shell separately, and then whatever they find when ranging outside.
I certainly wouldn't give them an extra source of salt in their coop!
Mary

 

[coach723]

There are salt blocks, mineral blocks and salt/mineral blocks, depending on what animal you are feeding. Some blocks for cattle aren't good for horses. I would be very concerned that the chickens would get too much salt if they were pecking a block of it. Since mine have eaten 3 feet of pipe insulation before........not sure I trust that they 'only eat what is good for them'. Another thought, beyond that they are after the mix-ins in the block that are attracting them, is boredom. Maybe try adding some other things that won't hurt them that they might peck at, like a hanging head of cabbage etc. You might be able to raise the salt blocks up off the ground, make them less accessable to the chickens but your other animals can reach them. I use Himalayan blocks on a rope for my donkey and hang them over a fence post at head height for him, out of reach for the birds.
Here is some info on salt toxicity in chickens:
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/salt-intoxication

 

[Folly's place]

I never use the blocks flavored with molasses or any sugar either, because everyone will overindulge and that's not good.
Mary