Snacks

[louisebarnhill]

I’m asking a lot of questions tonight because the more I read the forums the more questions I have. My four girls have food available all day. Layer feed, oyster shells and cracked corn mixed in. They free range all day. Every day about 4 pm I take them a snack bowl with mixed veggies, berries and a few plain Cheerios. They love it and have come to expect snack time. I have read about snacks being ok if given sparingly. Is this too much for snacks? They are 24 weeks old and have been laying daily for about a month. I don’t want to stop the snack bowl but is it too much? They are not fat and are super active.

 

[SavKel&RynKel]

The "rule of thumb" I have heard is 90t feed, 10% snacks.

On a more personal note, if all of your chickens are laying eggs every day then don't change a thing!
Ryn.

 

[louisebarnhill]

Oh....well that’s easy...and a no brainer! Thank you so much.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Spoiling our chickens is fine, as long as the amount of quality treats doesn’t take away from the formulated feed needed daily. I would push for only giving treats that your flock will eat in less than 10 minutes and only 1 or 2 times a week.

Your flock may be healthy now, but continual quality feeding is essential to maintain their health....especially with upcoming winter.

Good luck and have FUN!

 

[louisebarnhill]

TOnce or twice a week! There will be a revolt for sure....pooping on the porch and kicking my chunk mulch out of the beds. But I am sure it will be for the best. I want them to remain healthy. Thank you for the advice and I will be sure and tell them it was YOUR idea!

 

[Col1948]

I too give what I call treats, but they are things like watermelon, worms and meal worms.
So is that classed as treats, they come running when they see me in case I have something for them, but what I give when I do I think is beneficial?

 

[Kiki]

I’m asking a lot of questions tonight because the more I read the forums the more questions I have. My four girls have food available all day. Layer feed, oyster shells and cracked corn mixed in. They free range all day. Every day about 4 pm I take them a snack bowl with mixed veggies, berries and a few plain Cheerios. They love it and have come to expect snack time. I have read about snacks being ok if given sparingly. Is this too much for snacks? They are 24 weeks old and have been laying daily for about a month. I don’t want to stop the snack bowl but is it too much? They are not fat and are super active.

I would say quit feed all that now before you end of with problems.
You should not be adding corn to you complete layer feed, if already has enough corn in it.
Check this out:
Sudden death diagnosed

 

[Kiki]

I too give what I call treats, but they are things like watermelon, worms and meal worms.
So is that classed as treats, they come running when they see me in case I have something for them, but what I give when I do I think is beneficial?

ANYthing besides a complete poultry feed is a treat.

 

[Kiki]

The "rule of thumb" I have heard is 90t feed, 10% snacks.

On a more personal note, if all of your chickens are laying eggs every day then don't change a thing!
Ryn.

They could be laying fine now but may not continue to lay fine if they stay on a diet like post one.

 

[roosterhavoc]

My hens do well on mice and toads.