To cut or not to cut produce

[cherylcohen]

We've had our 9 girls for about 2 months now, anxiously awaiting our 23 week and 17 week olds to start laying. I've been laboriously nightly chopping and preparing a treat meal for all but tonight because I had to change out their coop to pine shavings just threw in a whole cabbage.

They went crazy for it.

So my question is... I think to feed them mushy fruit, veggies, whatever I can get from farmers market leftovers or our dinners. Do I need to chop everything like I have been doing of just give it to them. I understand grapes must be halved?

Any experts out there on this?

 

[Wildsky]

I cut up my leftovers or what-nots, for the simple reason that there will be pieces for everyone and they won't all be fighting over one big thing.
It just makes me feel better, I dont' think it makes much difference to them.

 

[wombat]

You can hang a cabbage from a cord, they'll be pecking it and it'll be swinging all over. It's like chicken tetherball.

 

[cherylcohen]

what about baby carrots...I've got tons but they are hard, I've cooked them before for them but again always chopped them. What do you think?

 

[cherylcohen]

Is it ok to put whole grapes out there?

what about heads of lettuce, pears?

 

[briteday]

I put whole fruits and vegetables out with no problem.

 

[spammy]

When I hang a vegtable or fruit from my tether string I cut a piece of rind off so they can get to the good stuff. The uncut acorn squash hung untouched for 2 days, sliced off a piece of rind and it was gone in an hour. I found the perfect tether in my tackle box, a cheap fish stringer. Nylon, ring on one end, metal stake on the other. Loop it over something, put stake thru ring. pull tite and adjust height to head high. I dulled the tip of the spike. Push the spike into the center of the offering and watch them dance.

 

[catfish/okie]

Mine love grapes I halve them up and if there big grapes I quarter them to make them go further. I know of nothing they like better than grapes.

 

[chookchick]

I can't imagine why you couldn't put in a whole grape! Like wildsky, I only cut up stuff if I'm worried that some won't get any--otherwise they will quickly deconstruct anything they have an interest in--that's half the fun for them!

 

[louloubean]

oh yeah!
they love to peck it all apart! what fun!