Snack suggestions for obese chickens?

[GrannyHeeney]

I should have had a clue when they started getting finicky at snack time! Yep, they got big butts and I cannot lie. Please share your and their favorite healthy snack choices, and I'd sure appreciate, too, if you can list a few things to avoid while Scrambled and Dumpling are "Sweating To The Oldies."

First, though, what about instant grits, raisins or cooked oatmeal? Are these healthy, non-big-butt snacks?

 

[All Ball]

Ummm...to each her/his own maybe, but I would think of those as high-carb, and for raisins, high-sugar. A lot of folks on this site say that you can encounter all kinds of health problems if you give any significant amount of food outside laying rations; others disagree, but typically I see treats that are used being more of the pieces of hard-boiled egg, a section of cabbage or leaves of greens, seeds, scratch, a little fresh fruit (never dried - too high in sugar) like grapes or pieces of melon, or else veg/fruit scraps that would otherwise go in the compost.

Finicky chickens will change their habits - they will not starve and will end up eating the healthy stuff. They just may make your life miserable in the meantime complaining at the tops of their lungs...

 

[nminusyplusm]

I'm no expert on this but I'd think they benefit from high nutrient greens like kale, collards, chard, etc. that are hung in a bunch from a string so they'd have to work for their treats get some exercise and protein treats like meals worms in a treat ball, again so they don't just vacuum them up.

Stay away from scratch, corn and other grains, they will be getting enough of that from their feed.

And make sure the feed they get as their main ration is fresh and high quality with a good percentage of protein. Treats should not comprise more than 10% of their daily intake.

Kikisgirls created an amazing chart to help us select the best feeds based on nutritional comparisons:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/poultry-feed-comparison-chart.73919/

 

[SueT]

I suggest zero snacks for obese chickens. Quit the snacks and let their feed be the only option. They will eat it when they get hungry.

 

[Kiki]

I suggest zero snacks for obese chickens. Quit the snacks and let their feed be the only option. They will eat it when they get hungry.

X2.
Fat chickens are no bueno.
You will end up with problems or dead chickens sooner rather than later.
I'd recommend feeding only a complete pelleted or crumble feed.

 

[GrannyHeeney]

I'm no expert on this but I'd think they benefit from high nutrient greens like kale, collards, chard, etc. that are hung in a bunch from a string so they'd have to work for their treats get some exercise and protein treats like meals worms in a treat ball, again so they don't just vacuum them up.

Hubby is dying to try that cabbage-on-a-rope idea, is it on par nutritionally with kale and collards and all?

 

[nminusyplusm]

Hubby is dying to try that cabbage-on-a-rope idea, is it on par nutritionally with kale and collards and all?

Cabbage is very healthy, especially red cabbage.

 

[nminusyplusm]

I suggest zero snacks for obese chickens. Quit the snacks and let their feed be the only option. They will eat it when they get hungry.

^^^ This is a much better answer than mine.

 

[snow5164]

I think some that seem obsessed with giving chickens treats must own all the obese dogs I kennel ?? I don’t understand when we are in complete control of their health = life expectancies why are you guys thinking they need treats???

I’d love to eat ketchup chips and sweet chilli heat Doritos too, but the reality is it’s a bad choice !!!


Pull them some grass, dandelion leaves or just let them pick and eat the feed we buy them .

Ok I am down from my soapbox now ,sorry if I offended anyone with my passion and no animals were harmed in the making of this rant