Treat math: the 10% rule

[h c hennery]

We have 3 year-old (almost) laying hens. We love giving them treats, but don’t want to make them unhealthy (too fat).

I’ve read here that treats should make up 10% or less of a chicken’s diet. Our bag of feed states that each bird eats on average ¼ pound of feed per day. Assuming that’s about ¾ cup, then 10% would be just over a tablespoon per bird.

Does that mean that roughly a tablespoon of treat per hen each day is ok? (I mean fatty treats like seeds, nuts, and mealworms -- and their favorite, raisin bread. I’m assuming that large amounts of fruits and veggies aren’t a health risk and can be given free-choice.)

Any thoughts?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

We have 3 year-old (almost) laying hens. We love giving them treats, but don’t want to make them unhealthy (too fat).

I’ve read here that treats should make up 10% or less of a chicken’s diet. Our bag of feed states that each bird eats on average ¼ pound of feed per day. Assuming that’s about ¾ cup, then 10% would be just over a tablespoon per bird.

Does that mean that roughly a tablespoon of treat per hen each day is ok? (I mean fatty treats like seeds, nuts, and mealworms -- and their favorite, raisin bread. I’m assuming that large amounts of fruits and veggies aren’t a health risk and can be given free-choice.)

Any thoughts?

It isn't about making them fat... it's about diminishing the vitamin, mineral, and amino acid content.

Large amounts of fruits and veggies are ALSO a treat... they NEED not less than 16% protein (and the amino acids) for the lightest bodied layers. Dual purpose birds will do better with at least 18%.

That being said... my birds are free range and access what they want in the garden and such. So I feed 20% protein Purina Flock Raiser with Oyster Shell on the side for layers. I can't control how many bugs they eat or other stuff.

 

[lazy gardener]

I consider any thing found on range to be at least as good, and most likely far superior to what comes out of the feed bag. I don't give my birds kitchen scraps often, so don't worry much about the % of it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

1 Tbsp a day sounds about right, though I don't measure. I just give out enough treats to reward them for coming back to the run, stuff like that. Things like fruit and veggies are more sporadic for me - if I have something suitable on hand they get to have some scraps, otherwise they don't.

 

[Stephanie8806]

My personal rule of thumb is if it grows outside, I don’t really overthink it... my chickens free range all day, so if it’s fresh(ish) veggies or fruits that they’d likely be eating if they were free ranging in my garden, I just take it(slightly sub optimal produce or garden waste/weeds/trimmings) up and sprinkle throughout their run and free ranging area.

Chickens are amazingly self regulating, and will eat what they need. Just look at how they regulate calcium intake by eating free choice oyster shell! If they’re finding a lot of bugs, they’ll seek out more plants and grains. When I have surplus apples on hand from a neighbors orchard, I’ll put a good pile in their run and they don’t just gorge apples... they eat a bunch; but then still free range AND visit their feeder throughout the day.

I have very healthy dual purpose birds of a variety of breeds, and feeding this way I averaged 4-6 eggs a day from 9 chickens throughout the winter... without supplemental light or heat. We even have spikes once or twice a week of 7 or 8 eggs in a day. I think the results speak for themselves.