What’s is considered too many treats?

[Soon2BChixMom]

I eat fresh veggies everyday that I chop up for my meals. So, I generally save any leftover pieces of the veggies for the chickens. It’s maybe a cup if you don’t squish it down that I give them in the morning when I feed their pellets. I might add some leftover egg too. Generally their pellets are gone by the evening. I also throw them cracked corn and dried mealworms in the evening. I am not sure how much, but it’s generally gobbled up in 5 - 10 min.

I have 4 chickens and am wondering if this is too much as far as treats go or is this acceptable?

 

[rjohns39]

General guidelines suggest treats should not exceed 10% of total diet. Assuming they are free ranging or have access to grass and bugs. When my birds go into winter housing, I'll increase greens for them.

 

[orrpeople]

I agree - but I also think your "treats" are quite in line with general dietary consumption (greens and eggs) - it's the overload of carbs that are of greater concern and should be minimized (breads, pastas, corn).

 

[rosemarythyme]

The number I usually see on here is up to 10% treats. I have a flock of 4 as well, on a rare occasion they'll get a bigger treat (like half a peach or a stripped corn cob) but it's usually more along the lines of a handful of kale in the morning and maybe a tablespoon of mealworms in the afternoon (that's for all 4, not 1 Tbsp per bird , it's not cheap!) I don't really measure though .

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I agree - but I also think your "treats" are quite in line with general dietary consumption (greens and eggs) - it's the overload of carbs that are of greater concern and should be minimized (breads, pastas, corn).

Ok. That's what I was wondering as well. I rarely throw them any extra carbs except the corn in the evening.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

The number I usually see on here is up to 10% treats. I have a flock of 4 as well, on a rare occasion they'll get a bigger treat (like half a peach or a stripped corn cob) but it's usually more along the lines of a handful of kale in the morning and maybe a tablespoon of mealworms in the afternoon (that's for all 4, not 1 Tbsp per bird , it's not cheap!) I don't really measure though .

Mine might get more than a tablespoon. Lol. It's the 10% I'm having a hard time with - is this 10% < that's what I'm always asking myself. Lol

 

[rjohns39]

The 10% rule is intended to prevent diluting vitamins, minerals and amino acids in your prepared feed. Eggs have a perfect balance of amino acids and greens though not necessarily high in protein are a solid form of vitamins. If you have healthy happy birds that are growing well and/or maintaining their weight, I would think you're doing just fine.

 

[chickens really]

My Birds get a treat once or twice a week...As long as you keep the diet balanced production and Behavour will remain correct...
Best of luck....

 

[Labradors]

I toss my four chickens four handfuls of BOSS every day, and a handful of dandelion greens if I can find any that aren't frozen.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm concerned that they 'clean up' their regular feed (what is it?) every day. Make sure that they have all the balanced diet that they can eat first, and then the treats are really 'extra'. My birds get some goodies, and free range, but nowhere near the volume per bird that yours are getting. If it works, that's great, but especially in winter, outdoor variety shrinks, with the frozen ground and snow. Mary