what is BOSS

[gryeyes]

BOSS stands for Black Oil Sunflower Seed, the smaller type with black shells, not the larger grey&white striped hulls. It is frequently sold for feeding wild songbirds.

Chickens usually eat it whole; hull and all. Some do break them open.

Usually when folks mix dog or cat food with feed and/ or seed, it is dry food. (My ducks and chickens try to sneak into the house to eat out of my dogs' dishes, they like it so much. Too high in protein, fats and salt for regular feeding to poultry, but it's a good way to bump up protein in the short term.)

I don't know what sweet feed is, though.

 

[chickery-do]

You do mean dry dog/cat food? Not the canned type? There are not to many chicken hobbyist around here so I love to use BYC. I'm glad I went to my computer first thing this morning instead of going to Walmart or TSC right off. They are the only stores we have around here except mom n pop ones. We have to travel 45 min. in all directions to find something.

Thank you so much!​

 

[chickery-do]

OOPS! I reread your post and I understand it now. I just couldn't believe it!

 

[chickery-do]

BOSS stands for Black Oil Sunflower Seed, the smaller type with black shells, not the larger grey&white striped hulls. It is frequently sold for feeding wild songbirds.

Chickens usually eat it whole; hull and all. Some do break them open.

Usually when folks mix dog or cat food with feed and/ or seed, it is dry food. (My ducks and chickens try to sneak into the house to eat out of my dogs' dishes, they like it so much. Too high in protein, fats and salt for regular feeding to poultry, but it's a good way to bump up protein in the short term.)

I don't know what sweet feed is, though.

I have been to 2 animal feed store s and they didn't have what I thought you ment. is there a name brand I could use?

 

[gryeyes]

It's just called Black Oil Sunflower Seed.

Try any garden center, even the garden section of WalMart - it is often found there, where they sell bird feeders and wild bird seed. Don't buy the mix of seed, get just the black sunflower seeds. I have seen it in 7 pound bags at Lowe's garden center, too.

Even a nursery which sells bird feeders and wild bird seed will often carry it.

 

[chickery-do]

BOSS stands for Black Oil Sunflower Seed, the smaller type with black shells, not the larger grey&white striped hulls. It is frequently sold for feeding wild songbirds.

Chickens usually eat it whole; hull and all. Some do break them open.

Usually when folks mix dog or cat food with feed and/ or seed, it is dry food. (My ducks and chickens try to sneak into the house to eat out of my dogs' dishes, they like it so much. Too high in protein, fats and salt for regular feeding to poultry, but it's a good way to bump up protein in the short term.)

I don't know what sweet feed is, though.

I guess I'm dumb, I saw bags of sunflower seeds at walmart and I ddn't think you ment that. okay

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Well, they are different looking than the striped sunflower seeds. They are all black, smaller, and the chickens can eat them shell and all. Just in case that was causing any of your confusion...

 

[chickery-do]

Well, they are different looking than the striped sunflower seeds.  They are all black, smaller, and the chickens can eat them shell and all.  Just in case that was causing any of your confusion...

Thanks! That helps! Back to wallyworld I go

 

[taylynnp]

How old do you think chicks should be before giving them some BOSS as a treat? I know they need grit as well.

I just wonder when momma hen would introduce it?

 

[robinwiththechickens]

Got some for my girls and they could careless about it.

I was hoping they would like it. My chickens are total divas!

Same here! My girls won't touch the stuff. I was so disappointed. They are so spoiled, if it's not a peanut butter sandwich or scrambled egg, they don't want it.