Spoiked chuckens? Won’t eat scraps.

[chickens really]

If they have a balanced diet from a commercial feed, no they don’t need them. The same would go for ducks. But who are you to say they don’t benefit from it? There are a lot of vitamins and minerials in fresh fruits and vegetables. Even if it’s already provided in the feed it doesn’t mean they can’t get it from another source. Besides, eating from a raw source instead of a processed one often has several health benefits. Why else would people free range chickens? Isn’t not just so they can get exercise.

Putting aside all of that, the birds get enjoyment and mental stimulation from eating treats. I provide all the feed they want 24/7 but they still like getting treats. Mine get their treats tossed on the ground so they get to search around and hunt for it. It’s good for them this time of year since there isn’t much to forage. And even if I just tossed it on the composite pile like I do in summer, they would still go for it because they like it.

Wow....Your a bit heated and not needed...Sorry I crossed your path.

 

[lomine]

Wow....Your a bit heated and not needed...Sorry I crossed your path.

Not heated at all. Just expressing a different opinion. If you don’t want a reply don’t directly quote my post.

 

[chickens really]

Not heated at all. Just expressing a different opinion. If you don’t want a reply don’t directly quote my post.

Your always upset and I can't figure you out?...Relax and enjoy the conversations..I'm not picking on you or ?

 

[BantyChooks]

Your always upset and I can't figure you out?...Relax and enjoy the conversations..I'm not picking on you or ?

She doesn't sound upset to me

OP, you've gotten some good advice.

 

[chickens really]

She doesn't sound upset to me

OP, you've gotten some good advice.

She does not like anyone quoting her...Not the OP either.
I knew better but did it anyways.....My Appoligies but anyways..

 

[lomine]

It’s okay. I just discovered the ignore option so there won’t be any issues going forward.

Good luck OP, I hope your girls learn to love their treats.

 

[dandread]

I was just going to ask why free range chickens if all they need to eat is commercial feed? I thought it was so They would have a more balanced diet, thus be healthier.

Educate this newbie.

 

[chickens really]

I was just going to ask why free range chickens if all they need to eat is commercial feed? I thought it was so They would have a more balanced diet, thus be healthier.

Educate this newbie.

The thought is that layers do well on free range diets..no it's meat Birds that are to be butchered in the fall plus feed commercial feed..Layers are a whole other ball game to keep healthy...

 

[lazy gardener]

Free range is a great addition to a balanced feed. I would rather see my flock free ranging than having veggie scraps tossed to them. Typically, free ranged birds have nice orangey yolks in their eggs, in contrast to the yellow yolks of birds fed only a bagged feed. Deep composting litter also provides much nutritional and immune system benefit.

 

[CSAchook]

I was just going to ask why free range chickens if all they need to eat is commercial feed? I thought it was so They would have a more balanced diet, thus be healthier.

Educate this newbie.

I am sure there are many many reasons and I can't speak to all of them but...

1) Most chickens seem to really enjoy it. Exploring the big wide world, hunting for bugs, finding a really great spot for a dust bath etc etc.

2) The extra exercise and mental stimulation is certainly very healthy and good for them .

3) IMO there is a difference between a balanced diet and a varied diet. Commercial feed is balanced but offers no variety. Free ranging and or providing small amounts of appropriate treats provides them with variety (which they appreciate) and can also improve the taste and flavor of their eggs.

Just my 2 cents. Hope it helps.