The 10% Treat Rule - Weight or Volume?

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

"Thou shalt only give your chickens 10% of their diet in treats" is a pretty common refrain on these forums, to the point where it's become something of cannon.

I don't necessarily subscribe to the theory (which is fine...to each his own), but I did have a question.

Saying "10%" isn't very clear when talking about food - does that mean by weight or by volume?

Chicken feed has very low moisture content (by design). Food waste has more...ranging from a little more (breads and other carbs) to a LOT more (veggies, especially lettuces and the like).

So, how do you calculate your 10%? Or is the difference really not that big, so it's splitting hairs?

 

[HuffleClaw]

@rjohns39

 

[123RedBeard]

I don't necessarily subscribe to the theory

Neither do I!

Maybe they mean 10% of their protein intake from treats?

Or 10% carbs? Calories???

Then of course the people that so-called "free-range" ... since that is not commercially programed food designed for chickens ... how do they balance, or figure if they ate a June bug, or a cock roach ... or a dandelion flower???

Don't need no stinkin' rules!

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Neither do I!

Maybe they mean 10% of their protein intake from treats?

Or 10% carbs? Calories???

Then of course the people that so-called "free-range" ... since that is not commercially programed food designed for chickens ... how do they balance, or figure if they ate a June bug, or a cock roach ... or a dandelion flower???

Don't need no stinkin' rules!

I hadn't even thought of calories, another potentially good measure.

Personally, I try to limit the % of cockroaches in MY diet to well under 10%...but then again, when it comes to eating weird foods, I'm kind of....wait for it...chicken.

 

[aart]

It's just meant to be a 'guide line' for gross volume.
Probably more important for confined birds who's owners feed lots of 'treats' so their chickens will 'like' them.
Moderation is a good thing along with keeping overall nutritional balance in mind.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

 

[Elsveta641]

I throw cracked corn like a Roman emperor throwing rose petals from his litter in a parade The chickens have such a short and dull little life, why not let them have all the treats they can handle? So long as they dont show signs of vitamin deficiency or become obese, I dont think it matters how much you spoil them.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Did you bring enough to share?




From my perspective it is about volume as well.

Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome is real and it is deadly.

 

[123RedBeard]

Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome is real and it is deadly.

Yeah, but ...


What if you give "fat-free" treats?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

"Like a Roman emperor throwing rose petals ...!" @Elsveta641 , that's priceless! Are you a professional writer? I throw scratch out to some of my chickens that way too, but I never had that wonderful of a word picture for my actions, thank you for that! In another area, I pitch it like a fishwife tossing out entrails from the day's catch!