The Middle Tennessee Thread

[Penny Hen]

I have Mealworms........ they are easy but slow to get going for a big flock. I don't feed mine out, well not much. I do sell some every once in a blue moon.

I would like to get some from you at some point. Have to finish refitting my coop first.

 

[Cinny]

Could Professor Eagleton be molting….Mine started doing that same thing, getting thin, not eating regular chicken feed, not wanting to be picked up or petted…..they're molting…my first experience with this. I've read they really need protein when molting so I've been giving them leftover steak, chicken, hamburger, etc, along with pumpkin and squash and they are eating that. They will also eat scratch, but then they love that!! They don't like to be petted or picked up because molting actually hurts them. It explained a lot for me, maybe that's what's going on in your coup too.

 

[Chrystal Dawn]

I hope that's all it is. I haven't seen a loss of feathers, though, or any in the coop. I didn't know you could feed them meat. That seems a little wrong somehow.

I mix their layer pellets with game bird feed for extra protein and they free range. I'm a vegetarian so I don't have meat, Is it ok to feed them cat or dog food? I'm going to go defrost some tofu. They do like that! Thanks for the input. I'll stop freaking out as much now. =)

 

[DMRippy]

chickens need MEAT. most feeds are soy based and I don't feel they get what they need. they eat bugs mice snakes lizards really anything they can find....I don't think I will be feeding mine chickens.

JMHO

 

[Chrystal Dawn]

I knew they ate bugs but I didn't realize they ate all that kind of stuff. What kind of meat should I feed them and how often?

 

[FeyRaine]

chickens need MEAT. most feeds are soy based and I don't feel they get what they need. they eat bugs mice snakes lizards really anything they can find....I don't think I will be feeding mine chickens.

JMHO

2x
They are omnivores & given the chance will actively hunt when free ranging esp. the more wild & heritage breeds will go after mice very specifically , I've seen mine actually hunt cooperatively w/ my barn cats & actually share what they kill.

For bio security reasons we never feed an animal to its own kind, so at our house for example any chicken scraps go to the barn cats, pork & beef scraps or fat goes to dogs unless there is a lot then I sometimes use the fat(=lard) to make chicken treat blocks (pour over some scratch feed and let it cool to harden into a cake/block they can peck at).

Being vegetarian you'll not have meat scraps of course but if you have any close neighbors (who you share eggs w/ perhaps) they might be willing to save their meat scraps & drippings/lard for you (toss little bits into an empty bread bag in the freezer to keep & give to you weekly in trade for eggs for example). Basically just think about waste not want not, likely someone is throwing in the trash the little bits of protein & fat that your birds would gladly turn into eggs

 

[RedRidge]

This is a perfect example where feeding BSF would be so beneficial.
They are free, easy to raise, and very high in animal protein and calcium.

 

[Chrystal Dawn]

I never heard of them eating any meat other than bugs. Is it safe to try cat food?

 

[Chrystal Dawn]

Thanks for all the info, by the way!

 

[DMRippy]

I know some feed dog and cat food but not sure that's good for them. what part of Nashville are you in? the coop in Ashland city sells Tucker's with pork. 22% protein. they don't sell it at the Nashville coop on Dickerson road. Bonnie's barnyard sells it. I can buy some for you down the road if you want. a week ago it was $13.25 a bag.