Too many bugs for confined hens?

[chickndays]

Hopefully this isn't a ridiculous question... can too many bugs make confined chickens fat? Mine have been loving cicada season and the pictured hen (unofficially Colby since I shouldn't name them ) seems to grab all the cicadas I toss in and downs them in two gulps.
If I could free-range, I would but we all know about city ordinances...

 

[thecatumbrella]

It’s cricket season over here. We only “harvest” and toss them in on the last visit of the day. I want to make sure they eat their chicken feed and not just hold out for the good stuff. It is challenging to make sure everyone gets equal amounts. But you snooze you lose!

 

[tlcmurphy]

Protein, good for them! Mine LOVE their cicadas, beat the snot out of each other trying to get them

 

[nuthatched]

I'm mean, if you're dumping buckets of them, then yes. But a handful, no

 

[tlcmurphy]

I'm mean, if you're dumping buckets of them, then yes. But a handful, no

If you have buckets of cicadas you have a whole other problem

 

[nuthatched]

If you have buckets of cicadas you have a whole other problem

Like being deaf.

 

[Justagalwithchicks]

Hopefully this isn't a ridiculous question... can too many bugs make confined chickens fat? Mine have been loving cicada season and the pictured hen (unofficially Colby since I shouldn't name them ) seems to grab all the cicadas I toss in and downs them in two gulps.
If I could free-range, I would but we all know about city ordinances...

A way you may be able to get around that ordinance is to make a small mobile run . 3x6' with a lighter wood frame and just plain chicken wire stapled to it with a hinge door on top. They are still "contained" at all times, but get to be out on grass. Even if for a couple minutes a day etc. I've done this and it worked well especially for pullets that panic easily. No flying over the fence etc.

 

[TheChickenGirl16]

A way you may be able to get around that ordinance is to make a small mobile run . 3x6' with a lighter wood frame and just plain chicken wire stapled to it with a hinge door on top. They are still "contained" at all times, but get to be out on grass. Even if for a couple minutes a day etc. I've done this and it worked well especially for pullets that panic easily. No flying over the fence etc.

That sounds awesome! So, sort of like a chicken tractor?

I normally free range, but right now I have a huge mixed flock of different ages, and unfortunately the smallest ones would make great hawk lunch.
But that is a great idea!

 

[ChickenChick46]

If you have buckets of cicadas you have a whole other problem

Sometimes I feel like we have buckets of them. My husband and I were sitting on the porch over the weekend, mid-morning, enjoying our smoothies. They got so loud that we had to pause our conversation. And I'm finding their shed skins everywhere! We weren't supposed to be even close to the main emergency this year, but I definitely think we've got way more than usual. Thank goodness they don't bother me, lol.

 

[tlcmurphy]

Sometimes I feel like we have buckets of them. My husband and I were sitting on the porch over the weekend, mid-morning, enjoying our smoothies. They got so loud that we had to pause our conversation. And I'm finding their shed skins everywhere! We weren't supposed to be even close to the main emergency this year, but I definitely think we've got way more than usual. Thank goodness they don't bother me, lol.

Mine like the skeletons too. Chicken chips!