Table scraps

[TubbyChicken]

What type of scraps are ok to feed chickens? We're picking ours up tomorrow and I was just cleaning out my fridge when it dawned on me that the chickens might be able to polish off the cantelope half or the green beans that I was about to throw out.

What is ok or not to give to the chickens?

 

[TubbyChicken]

Anybody?

 

[cajunlizz]

OMG , keep the leftovers in your frig. until they get there .


1st. how old are you chickens ? they will also need feed and that depends on their ages .


1 week to 15 weeks ( starter/grower )

Layers need laying pellets


do a research on the kind of feed needed for age groups .

As for leftovers , fruit , greens , rice , grass , bread . ALMOSt anything that you eat , they can eat also ....

 

[TubbyChicken]

Quote:
Thank you! I hate throwing out old fruit and veggies so it's nice to know I can give the birds a treat. Does it matter that the beans were cooked with meat? (I don't think there is any actual meat in the beans, but it was cooked with pork back)

All of our birds will be over 15 weeks, so I have some laying pellets to start them on. (Do I offer oyster shell with their feed or in a separate container?

Thanks again!

 

[silkiechicken]

I free range so if the birds are bored, they aren't bored enough to eat the things in the scrap pile that have spoiled or are not good for them.

That said, anything left on the table we don't want to eat goes out on the ground where the chickens can get to it. Left over veggies, grains, even if cooked with meat, goes out. The meat is usually picked out for the feral cats to eat (they also get cat food once a day), but even then the chickens will chase off the cats to eat the meat.

So what you can eat, so can they.

 

[mtnhomechick]

I thought I heard No to potato skins, avacado and a few other foods? Anyone?

 

[sundance]

I feed mine everything I eat except meat, Idon't feed mine potatopeelings, I feed them to the goat. I usually give them some bread when i turn them out to free graze about 3 o'clock. marrie

 

[cajunlizz]

Quote:
Thank you! I hate throwing out old fruit and veggies so it's nice to know I can give the birds a treat. Does it matter that the beans were cooked with meat? (I don't think there is any actual meat in the beans, but it was cooked with pork back)

All of our birds will be over 15 weeks, so I have some laying pellets to start them on. (Do I offer oyster shell with their feed or in a separate container?

Thanks again!

meat is ok , just in small amounts . I would wait and give them laying pellets around 18 weeks ..... separate container on the oyster shells


I scramble them eggs and give for extra protein ...

I also cook them oatmeal and cooked grits ....
THEY LOVE RICE. so , I cook 5 cups of rice like 2 or 3 times a week

 

[Farm Chic]

I have found that my chickens (they are all bantams) love ripe grape tomatoes, zucchini, gresh corn and cucumbers. They really didn't like the bread until it dried out. we also found that they love grapes. I have noticed that if you give them fresh and whole, it is too hard for them to eat but if you cut it in half, they will have an easier time eating it.

I also like watching them when I feed them fresh 'treats' from the garden. they won't let their 'prize' out of their beaks

 

[EliteTempleton]

Quote:
I heard the same about potato skins.

The avacado I had not heard about, but my dog eats them raw and loves them so I would not end up giving it to the chickens anyway. Can't verify that one.

I did read just today that Onions and Garlic can change the flavor of the eggs, and so to use it sparingly.

I mix in some Garlic powder with their feed to ward off worms/mites/etc. So I guess time will tell. Still waiting for my first egg...

Chickens are omnivores, not only can you give them meat but they love it. I would be sure any meat given to them is cooked up though.

Mainly I would just make sure they are not eating more treats than feed so they get all the nutrients they need.

Also, don't feed them treats until they are a week or two old. But the OP has that one covered.