What is the ideal diet for my flock

[BlossomSilkies]

Lot's and lots of information here, and since I'm sort of the lazy type

. . .What is the ideal diet for my chickens? Currently I have laying crumble in the feeder but I also give them various veggies and fruits (whatever I have at the moment), and scratch. We have even given them nightcrawlers and meal worms as a special treat.

My chickens don't free range as of yet. I am worried about something getting them since we live in the desert and have coyote, bob cat, and hawks at least around. Not sure if the lack of free range is why I'm getting lemon yellow yolks or if it's because they are new layers. They do have a nice size run however.

How can I do this better?

 

[Mahonri]

sounds to me like they are doing just fine.

I give mine a can of salmon every once in a while and some yogurt for a treat.
Probiotix and protein.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

It's the dark leafy greens and grass that usually gives them the orange yolks. Maybe try growing some greens or wheat grass for them.

 

[BlossomSilkies]

Quote:
Aw! Well that would explain it! I will make a spot in my garden boxes for some wheat grass and greens. Thank you!

 

[ralleia]

Do you garden?

I toss mine the weedings from my garden (they LOVE dandelions, young yellow dog, crabgrass, purslane, ?bindweed?, and several others that I don't know the names of).

They also get my overgrown chard leaves, kale leaves, kohlrabi, cauliflower leaves, and anything the humans don't want to eat.

Last year I planted two tomato plants next to their coop so I could toss them tomatoes, too.

 

[BlossomSilkies]

I do garden. I have two 4x8 raised beds. No weeds to have to deal with in those. However, I so want to try a tray of wheat grass just for them and Maxx (our kitty). What about spinach leaves from the grocery story or other dark greens, even the canned or frozen variety?

Is there anything I should avoid giving them? I try to keep it on the mild, non-greasy, non-salty side when they get treats.

 

[ralleia]

Quote:
ICK! I don't even intentionally feed the dog canned stuff! Nor would I buy the frozen stuff just to give it to my chickens--the real treats come outta the garden!

Spring is right around the corner! Have you ever tried growing Swiss Chard? It's productive, easy-to-grow, and grows even through the whole hot summer! It's in the beet family. You just harvest off the outside leaves as often as you like (I usually have to fight mine into submission--ever seen the Audrey II plant in "Little Shop of Horrors?") and feed armfuls to my chickens and the horse.

Plant a garden for them and for you.

 

[BlossomSilkies]

Yes, I am going to try some swiss chard, I have heard it does well here in the desert. I bet they will love that. But in the mean time, I will pick up some treats from the produce section to tide them over