To feed or not to feed

[mygirls]

So where do I draw the line on what to let my girls eat or not eat. I have 3 hens.
I've been told that milk is really good for them which surprises me, but I'm ok with that.

I do give them scraps from plates but leave off meat and eggs. Then last night I read that some meat and eggs are good for them (protein)...but still have a prob with the idea of them eatting eggs cause it seems cannibalistic.

Big question, should I give them left over cake or anything made with sugar or containing chocolate? And how bout if bread has mold on it...will that harm them?
Thanks for any help.

 

[silkiechicken]

Mold is a big no no. Basically, anything YOU can eat so can they! Just watch the salt content and make sure they eat enough of their regular feed.

 

[MissPrissy]

Canniblistic is when they start eating flesh one bite at a time to get the proteins they are missing. Chickens will eat their own eggs if give a chance also. Feeding back cooked eggs and the shell is excellent for the chickens. They are omnivors. They need both meat and vegetation for complete dietary needs.

If a snake, mouse, lizard, bug or other smallish animal gets in their coop they will catch it and eat it.

 

[mygirls]

So what about that left over cake that was SOOO good, but I refrained from eatting!
Is frosting and sweets (once in a while) bad for my girls?

 

[MissPrissy]

I give the sweets to my goats. The chickens rarely get anything sweet. I supposed once it while it can't hurt. They would eagerly feed at the rot in your compost pile and the left over cake has to be better than that. LOL

 

[panner123]

My chickens love Starbucks day old doughnuts. A friend works for them and they throw everything each night. She brings some over once in awhile, just to watch the chickens go crazy over it. Glad I don't have to but it for them.

 

[Brian]

I'd give them some cake. They'll love it! A little coffee on the side would be a nice touch as well.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Nothing moldy or rotten, nothing highly salty, and I don't like to feed large amounts of anything with a lot of fat. Anything else though is fair game. A little cake is OK, but I wouldn't give them a bunch of a heavily frosted one.

Milk mixed in with their regular ration is a great feed. Try not to give them more than they'll clean up in a half-hour or it can draw flies.

.....Alan.