Treats...

[Pecky03]

Hi new to this website and new to chickens… My daughter’s kindergarten teacher decided to hatch eggs and we adopted three of them. After much research I came to the conclusion that they are Rhode Island Reds and they’ve become a beautiful addition to our family. I live in Vegas and this summer we have reached temperatures of 110°. I have the normal feed that I got from the feed store for chickens that age... I’ve already had one possibly two hens producing eggs with in the last week. I’ve gotten four eggs!! I try to give them treats now this is where the confusion comes in...I’ve read that cottage cheese was OK but then I read that dairy was no good and that corn is good but in the summer months it’s hard to digest. I’m kind of getting mixed reviews and I just want to keep them happy healthy and cool in the summer because they’re always breathing with their mouth open. I do have a lot of shade, misters and ice water all over for them. And I squirt them with the hose every other day to shower them and get some of the poop off their back feathers.... so any advice to this new chicken mom will help, thank you in advance...

 

[Peepsi]

Here is a good article on chicken treats:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...—the-best-treats-for-backyard-chickens.47738/

Also....in the summer, frozen fruit is good. Frozen slices of watermelon, strawberries, grapes, etc. If they're eating frozen fruit, it cools them down from the inside. Just don't feed too much fruit, or they'll get runny poops. Same with dairy...a little is ok, but too much will cause diarrhea.

 

[SueT]

That's a good chart. Just want to add--- make sure that their actual chicken feed is at least 90% of their diet so you don't dilute the nutrition needed for egg production.

 

[Peepsi]

That's a good chart. Just want to add--- make sure that their actual chicken feed is at least 90% of their diet so you don't dilute the nutrition needed for egg production.

Thank you! I forgot to mention that.

 

[Pecky03]

I always have their regular feed available off the ground so they stopped knocking it over. And I just give them the treats first thing in the morning and then some frozen treats during the hottest part of the day. So far I’ve done frozen corn but I can’t wait to try the frozen watermelon and strawberries!
Thank you for your suggestions. I could talk about my chickens for hours.. lol I just want to make sure that I’m doing everything to make them happy and healthy.

 

[Perris]

hello @Pecky03 ! welcome to BYC
sounds like your girls are going to have a great life...

 

[Corys chickens]

Hi new to this website and new to chickens… My daughter’s kindergarten teacher decided to hatch eggs and we adopted three of them. After much research I came to the conclusion that they are Rhode Island Reds and they’ve become a beautiful addition to our family. I live in Vegas and this summer we have reached temperatures of 110°. I have the normal feed that I got from the feed store for chickens that age... I’ve already had one possibly two hens producing eggs with in the last week. I’ve gotten four eggs!! I try to give them treats now this is where the confusion comes in...I’ve read that cottage cheese was OK but then I read that dairy was no good and that corn is good but in the summer months it’s hard to digest. I’m kind of getting mixed reviews and I just want to keep them happy healthy and cool in the summer because they’re always breathing with their mouth open. I do have a lot of shade, misters and ice water all over for them. And I squirt them with the hose every other day to shower them and get some of the poop off their back feathers.... so any advice to this new chicken mom will help, thank you in advance...

Hello you should buy a tarp in any hardware store and shade the chicken s or they will die . Your state is way to not for chicken s

 

[Kiki]

I'd like to add, again, to be sure that you only offer a small amount...think one spoonful size per bird... Of treats.
Treats = anything besides the complete balanced commercially made poultry feed.


The more treats you offer the less of a balanced diet they will get... Which will cause serious health problems down the road.

It is much easier to prevent health problems than try to fix them when they occur.

 

[Pecky03]

Hello you should buy a tarp in any hardware store and shade the chicken s or they will die . Your state is way to not for chicken s

 

[Pecky03]

Hello you should buy a tarp in any hardware store and shade the chicken s or they will die . Your state is way to not for chicken s

I hv 2 big trees and a tarp with a mister... It does feel 10° cooler in there chicken habitat. The rest of the yard is scorching. I also throw frozen water bottles in there that only last a few hours but it does reduce the heat .