Veggies

[Knicholson]

Hi everyone! I was just curious does anyone give their chickens veggies everyday? Or just a couple times per week ?

 

[CCsGarden]

I would do it once every month since it could make them fat really fast. Be careful of what veggies you feed since some are toxic to chickens.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/useful-tips-on-caring-for-your-flock.80267/

 

[Knicholson]

Thanks for the reply! I had one if my chickens die the other day and I an devastated

 

[kattabelly]

I would do it once every month since it could make them fat really fast.

Really? What vegetables are you thinking of that could make a chicken "fat really fast" when fed in sensible amounts?

I'm familiar with the idea that chickens confined to a run might not self-regulate in the same way chickens allowed to range would, if they only have access to very limited food options, and that it might be best to limit the amounts of certain foods they're given since they maybe can't be trusted to do that themselves. This is the first time I've seen it suggested that too many vegetables are likely to make chickens fat, though.

 

[CCsGarden]

Really? What vegetables are you thinking of that could make a chicken "fat really fast" when fed in sensible amounts?

I'm familiar with the idea that chickens confined to a run might not self-regulate in the same way chickens allowed to range would, if they only have access to very limited food options, and that it might be best to limit the amounts of certain foods they're given since they maybe can't be trusted to do that themselves. This is the first time I've seen it suggested that too many vegetables are likely to make chickens fat, though.

I've dealt with fat chickens ( and not just my own flock) and when I look at the diet, it turned out to be mostly scraps If you feed them a sensible amount then it should be fine and if they have space to run around then helps burn off the fat.

 

[kattabelly]

I've dealt with fat chickens ( and not just my own flock) and when I look at the diet, it turned out to be mostly scraps If you feed them a sensible amount then it should be fine and if they have space to run around then helps burn off the fat.

Ok but was that vegetables, or mixed scraps that included vegetables but also other foods that might be more likely to make chickens fat?

 

[CCsGarden]

Ok but was that vegetables, or mixed scraps that included vegetables but also other foods that might be more likely to make chickens fat?

It was mainly veggies and corn.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi everyone! I was just curious does anyone give their chickens veggies everyday? Or just a couple times per week ?

How do you keep your chickens? If they forage for much of their diet you've lost the ability to micromanage their diet anyway. What is your main feed, especially if they are confined and restricted in what they can eat to what you feed them? What veggies are you talking about?

For many people with their chickens tightly confined, their chicken feed provides a balanced diet as long as it is all they eat. That's why I'm interested in your main feed. Some people tend to think of only one or two specific nutrients but there are a load of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients they need. If you are feeding an appropriate feed to your chickens then that feed contains enough of everything they need. You do not need to feed anything else.

But many of us give them "treats". The general rule of thumb is that as long as their daily treats are less than 10% of their total diet they still have a balanced diet. How do you measure 10%? If they can clean it up in 15 to 20 minutes you are OK.

I don't do that. Mine forage for a lot of their food so I can't micromanage anyway. I have a large garden and orchard. When I can beets, I dump the cooked beet skins in the run for them. Same thing when I'm canning corn, they get the scraps. If I find a bad tomato I'll toss it in the run. They get a lot of apples, peaches, and plums. But this is not every day. Most days all they get is forage and their feed. On a few days they really splurge well over 10% but over the course of a few days it all balances out. Over any 3 or 4 day period it is less than 10% of their diet.