The Old Folks Home

[Cynthia12]

lol

 

[ozexpat]

Scratch is the natural enemy of birds.

Feeding chickens too many treats and snacks can interfere with their daily nutritional requirements, causing aggression and problem picking behaviors.​

While its normally protein as alluded to by our esteemed collegues, it can also be a sodium or other electrolyte deficiency. The cause and cure are the same.​

Its best to limit chicken "junk food" to 5% of their intake. If you give 4 birds a quarter of an 8oz apple each, you effectively reduce their protein intake from 16% to 9% given that a hen will consume 4 oz of feed a day.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

They do have a treat ball that I put an apple or a roll in every other day.

I think it might be one bird that's snagging the feathers as I notice the quick(er) birds manage to avoid her and their plumage is intact. (And what should I do about that bird?)

I'll go get some canned mackerel this afternoon. Perhaps I should switch back to the grower crumbles @ 20% protein? I just like the cleaner aspect of pellets. They do have free choice grit and oyster shell in the coop. I'll make their mash a combo of ricotta cheese, dried meal worms and Calf Manna (25%) for a week and see if that alleviates the situation, also, to try to raise the protein aspects.

Is it worth getting Feather Fixer feed?

I did put in a "privacy bar" (an added 2" rim) to the nest boxes which makes it a bit more difficult for the other birds to pick at the ones sitting on the nest.

Thanks for the suggestions!

I doubt you'll need to modify for a week. A couple days of additional protein may be enough to satisfy the need.

A couple percentage points in protein - if it contains complete amino acids - is sufficient.

Scratch is the natural enemy of birds.

Feeding chickens too many treats and snacks can interfere with their daily nutritional requirements, causing aggression and problem picking behaviors.​

While its normally protein as alluded to by our esteemed collegues, it can also be a sodium or other electrolyte deficiency. The cause and cure are the same.​

Its best to limit chicken "junk food" to 5% of their intake. If you give 4 birds a quarter of an 8oz apple each, you effectively reduce their protein intake from 16% to 9% given that a hen will consume 4 oz of feed a day.

good points

causes and cures being the same, keep it simple, feed a complete ration

 

[Peep_Show]

Ordered up the peepers (don't want to eat the suspect offending bird as she's a good layer) and DH is picking up some canned mackerel as I write this.

The mothy hen is one who will stand there and take it...low on the pecking order.

I'm a big fan of Calf Manna and Manna Pro products. Birds don't really seek out the pink pellets, but mixed with ricotta cheese they gobble it up. Calf Manna did wonders for the (rescued) debilitated stock I've raised and the pregger critters.

Guess I need to apply "love with less" to the foods. I am guilty of a lot of treat feeding. Mea culpa.

Glad it's not mites!

 

[ozexpat]

I find that chickens that run from the others instead of standing ground tend to get picked on. Or if they squat for another hen.

I am so getting some canned mackerel. I don't have a problem right now, but it sounds like it's good for them. I have some calf manna...love that for them too.

The best way to feed a chicken IMHO is straight from the sack - with a feed made by a repudable company. It contains all the birds needs. Adding mackerel iv they dont need a protein boost with break that balance. Keep a couple of cans on hand as stand by but dont think you are doing your birds a favor by routine mackerel. A bird needs 1.5g per kilo of Sodium in feed.

 

[ozexpat]

Cottage cheese - only 13% protein. - better than an apple but.

 

[Cynthia12]

I only throw out extra protein to them abut 3 or 4 times a week. They do get however, a piece of wheat bread every morning, broken up into enough pieces for them all. They are doing well. Sometimes they get scrambled eggs for their extra protein, sometimes the calf manna, and sometimes the sunflower seeds..and now, going to get that mackerel. I just may have to try it myself..with that smoke stuff on it. Yum.

 

[Aronia]

hey guys

 

[Aronia]

 

[ronott1]

hey guys

Hi Aronia!

How are the chickens?