Snack or just food?

[SquawkFlock]

So right now our chickens have to stay in the coop(still working on the run). Every morning when I go out to feed and water I pick a couple handfuls of weeds out of my garden for them while I'm working. But since I have guineas too I've been trying to train them with mealworms at bedtime so when they free-range hopefully they will come back. So my question is, is that too many "snacks" or are the weeds more of a suppliment? (I'm mostly giving them the "poorjoe" that grows in our watermelon patch)

 

[birdsrfun]

I don’t think a couple handfuls of weeds is a big deal. They would probably eat as much if they were free ranging. How many chickens are we talking about?

 

[SquawkFlock]

30 chickens and 6 guineas. Ranging from 3 to 8 weeks. And what I put in disappears within about 20 minutes.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I agree that a few handfuls of weeds is fine. I’d say for that many birds even a five gallon bucket a day is safely in “healthy snack” category.

 

[SquawkFlock]

Thanks so much! I want them to be "happy and healthy" not "fat and happy"...

 

[LizzzyJo]

Remember that they need grit if they have access to snacks other than chick starter. But especially for this 6 weeks and up I would say as much grass and weeds as they want is fine. Make sure it’s not longer than 2-3 inches because that can get impacted.

 

[SquawkFlock]

Remember that they need grit if they have access to snacks other than chick starter. But especially for this 6 weeks and up I would say as much grass and weeds as they want is fine. Make sure it’s not longer than 2-3 inches because that can get impacted.

I do offer grit but the coop has a dirt floor so they have that too.

 

[LizzzyJo]

Ok good job! Seems like you’re good to go. Just keep those weed and grass pieces under 3 inches.