What is better for a winter supplement, cracked corn or scratch grain?

[cyrixlord]

Why not chop some kale or collard greens for them? I make sure my tough girls get some every day. (cooked) rice is also fun for them

 

[SewingDiva]

Quote:
Ok.....not to sound too ignorant, but what is BOSS???

oh sorry! Black oil sunflower seeds (smaller and all black as opposed to the black/white ones we usually see). I've also noticed their feathers are beautifully thick and glossy since they've been eating them. And they love them!

Phyllis

 

[johnmayersquare]

Quote:
Ok.....not to sound too ignorant, but what is BOSS???

oh sorry! Black oil sunflower seeds (smaller and all black as opposed to the black/white ones we usually see). I've also noticed their feathers are beautifully thick and glossy since they've been eating them. And they love them!

Phyllis

OHHHHH....ok! I think I'll give that a try too! I think mine would love that!

Lisa

 

[msgenie516]

Hi,

Thank you everyone for your input!

Quote:
I never knew anything about BOSS before but I'm glad you brought it up! I was just looking at a flyer from a feed store and they have it for $17.99 for 25 pounds. Is that a good price or should I look some more?

Thanks! Genie

 

[SewingDiva]

Feed stores prices seem to vary quite a bit around the country; I paid $3.00 for 10 lbs I think. My feed stores has it with the wild bird seeds and they sell it in bulk.

I don't give our girls too much of it so they won't fill up on cracked corn and BOSS at the expense of their regular feed. The three of them get about 1/4 cup of each daily.

Phyllis

 

[halo]

I buy it in the 40 pound bags, since I feed the wild birds too. I think the last bag I got from Tractor Supply for around $25.00.

 

[SunAngel]

I toss a scoop of scratch grains out in their runs in the morning and their feeder inside has a mixture of grower crumbles, layer crumbles and game bird feed. I also soak alfalfa cubes for them and they get leftovers when available.

Mine wouldn't eat BOSS, so I mixed it with the wild bird food and put it in the outside bird feeders.

 

[CK Chickadilly]

I feed them a bit of cracked corn in the morning when it is really cold which it has been horrible here lately! They also get (& not everyday but a variety) BOSS, very little bird seed, shelled sunflower seeds, bread.

PB & J sandwich in a suet basket, their layer mash is always available in a hanging bin & a flake of 2nd cut goat hay (alfalfa) which they LOVE, even the babies at 4-5 weeks love the alfalfa.

They also get leftovers from out meals & I usually fix them something hot in the afternoon like oatmeal, scrambled eggs w/oatmeal & parsley or just left over stuff warmed up. They love it all! It is fun to see what they enjoy.

Yesterday I mixed the scrambled eggs, parsley & added raisins for the 1st time & they LOVED it! Spoiled rotten chickens!

 

[Robinator]

Ours get only cracked corn (large size) and BOSS as a winter morning treat because there is not much out there when they free range. In the spring I might switch them over to sprouted seeds untill they can find good bugs while free ranging.

Phyllis

Hey Phyllis, what is BOSS? I'm trying to figure out what to best feed my young chickens until spring. Should have waited to incubate my hen's first eggs. Just too excited. Now I have winter babies. Ack!

 

[0die]

how do they eat BOSS? shell and everything or do they crack them open like wild birds and just eat the kernel?