Whats an alternative to scratch ?

[bokboklady]

hi all, i give my girls a scratch mixture ( mixed corn and boss ) first thing in the morning and last thing before they go off to bed, which they always look forward to as i know it warms them throughout the night, but what can i give them now the weather is improving, here in England we are getting some lovley warm spring days now and i'm thinking that they dont really need this now, but they look for it when they are just off to roost, so is it ok to still throw some down or will they get too warm. thanks in advance for any suggestions

 

[lovemelovemybirds]

I feed mine scratch year round here in Colorado.. USA? but just decrease the amount in the warm months as they free range and eat whatever they find then. They still com running in the evenings though for their little bit of scratch.

 

[austinandkara]

Mine love cold yogurt. At first they might not kow what it is but once they start eating it they really dig in!

 

[dsqard]

I have read on here that it is an old wives tale that corn "heats" them up. I feed scratch only once a day. I do the same as you, I mix corn and boss and throw in a chopped up apple. They get this year round. As long as it is not their main source of food, I say let them have their "treats".

 

[ChrisF452]

I have a flock of spoiled ladies who come running for their treats every day. I feed them cottage cheese occasionally, which they love. Their favorite though is grapes. It's my favorite too because I get to watch chicken racing as they run around the yard scooping up the grapes I toss out!

 

[HHandbasket]

I make my girls oats, flaxseed, quinoa, and yogurt for a treat in the mornings. I cook it together in the microwave in water (except for the yogurt). Then when it's done, I add in the yogurt & mix it all up and they love it.

 

[Mervin]

Mine get trimmings for any veggies, especially carrot peels. Also, I give them chopped alfalfa cubes that have been soaked overnight on occasion. I do that mostly when there'ss snow and the can't get to any grass. Left over oatmeal is a big hit too. Spaghetti noodles are there absolute favorite though. In the summer, they get a little of whatever is growing in the garden.

 

[bokboklady]

thanks all for tips, i dont need to call them, they are all waiting by the gate checking their watches !!!