suet as a treat in the coop

[catsong]

I hang suet blocks in the coop for a winter treat. They like the high protein block with dried mealworms.

 

[boskelli1571]

Do you make your own? I make up a bunch periodically for the wild birds and my ladies. I use suet from my local butcher, add seeds etc. It keeps them happy for ages, the only problem I have is the dogs like it too(!) and so does the possum living in the barn (!!!)

 

[chickens really]

My answer is a BIG NO!!!!!


Chickens do not need that in their diet ........


Cheers!

 

[boskelli1571]

My answer is a BIG NO!!!!!


Chickens do not need that in their diet ........


Cheers!

I agree they don't need a lot of it. They don't get it except occasionally during the winter. Many things are ok in moderation

 

[chickens really]

Yeah, and many things should remain in the package and not fed to a Chicken....


Anyways......

Cheers......

 

[mobius]

I recently rendered beef tallow and made the chickies a lovely suet treat...several blocks...very cheep to do...they don't overeat it and it goes in a hanging suet feeder in their run. It gives them something to focus on and peck on and play with during these cold winter days.

I haven't noticed them overeating it at all...I put two blocks in the feeder two weeks ago and most is still there...They eat what they need...it is a good idea for them to have some fat in the wintertime IMHO. It is quite cold here.

I probably would not feed it year round but it is on the menu for the winter for sure!

 

[GC-Raptor]

Yeah I wouldn't feed song bird suet. But they sell treat blocks the same size for chickens at TSC. I have not used it, but I might try it next time I'm at TSC. For the winter a little extra fat sounds good. GC

 

[donrae]

I've fed regular song bird suet block to my flock from time to time. They devour them!

I'm thinking to make some home made, I have a crapton of pork lard to render.

 

[mobius]

Homemade so easy...I kind of empty out my pantry of aged cornmeal, WW flour, birdseed, old raisins, nuts, whatever comes to mind, herbs etc. The key for me is the right consistency, then pat it into a pan, score it to break apart later, and freeze.

I rendered my beef tallow n a crockpot...worked like a charm. Crockpot has variable temp control. No peeking, lol, joke...

 

[donrae]

I'd just been thinking to use scratch. Good idea about the cornmeal, etc from the pantry. Seems there's always stuff hiding somewhere

I use the crockpot for lard, and it does work well. I did one batch last week--I think I got 8 quarts plus. I've got another bag in the freezer, but I'm needing a break from it for a while. Plus, we need a break from the smell. It's good for a while, but I kept that thing going for a few days and we were tired of it.