There are thiefs among us...

[silkiechicken]

Yeah, mine are theifs and armed with sharp beaks. Have to feed the cats after chickens are to bed else they will chase and peck the cats till they all go away and eat up their food.

 

[magikchick]

They don't go hungry that's for sure. All tho you would think so the way they rush me when ever I set foot out side.

 

[mychickensrock]

We have one EE named Bandit. She gets in the house when bumrushes the door and runs to the dog food bowl. She gobbles it up as fast as possible and even stretches her neck down to get more as we pick her up to put her back outside. And never mind the treats we put on the floor trying to lure her away. Is it bad for them to eat dog food?

 

[CarriBrown]

Quote:
Bandit sounds like a pig!

Dog and cat food isn't the greatest for them because it has too much protein. Just like anything else, moderation is ok but they shouldn't make it a part of their regular diet.

 

[magikchick]

I give mine a little cat food every once in a while for the protein.

 

[crtrlovr]

mine LOVE dry (or canned, if they could get it!) cat food. For the 26 Standard fowl, 3 bantams, one adult guinea and 3 juvenile guineas I feed a large plastic cup of the cat food for indoor cats (it includes greens). I do this maybe twice a week; I scatter it throughout the run or the backyard if they're out freeranging in the yard, and they come charging in a feathered frenzy! they love the stuff. I do realize it wouldn't be good for them on a regular basis b/c of the high protein, but in moderation it's fine. A friend of mine (licensed wildlife rehabber, long time chicken mama, and mobile bird groomer) gives her chickens cat food when they stop laying. (not during a molt, but if they are having a slump) and it will increase egg production. Personally, I'd rather just let them lay if and when they feel like it, and not try to manipulate the laying by artificial means like feed changing and/or extra light. I got them for the love factor; the eggs are a bonus!

 

[mychickensrock]

Quote:
She is a chow hound for sure. She was pretty tore up when we got her (lots of missing and broken feathers) a few months ago. She's still trying to regrow many of those feathers. And she lays monster eggs 5 out of 7 days a week. We just figure she really wants that protein. Better to sneak some dog food than try to eat eggs, right?!

 

[COUNTRYMAN]

see, i knew i wasnt the only one that lived with chickens lol

 

[Attack Chicken]

LOL mine haven't discovered the dog food yet.

 

[Portia]

Now I need to get a picture of the dog eating out of the chicken hot food bowl with the chickens in the morning when I give them oatmeal. However, when the chickens eat out of HER dish she looks all hurt and betrayed.