winter feeding

[Justde]

Since our chickens won't be getting natural bugs, worms and various greens in the winter months, what is a suitable substitute?
They would be getting a few fresh kitchen scraps.

 

[GodLovesU]

Kitchen scraps and layer feed is all mine get.I have heard of people giving theirs meal worms or Black Soldier Fly Larvae.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

They really don't need anything other tan their normal food in the winter. Scraps would be juat fine when you have extras

 

[Debbie292d]

Since our chickens won't be getting natural bugs, worms and various greens in the winter months, what is a suitable substitute?
They would be getting a few fresh kitchen scraps.

I buy kale in the grocery store when we run out here. They love that so much and it's outstanding nutritionally for them. We grow it but this year there wasn't enough to bother freezing it.

I either hold the bunch out and let them all eat it while I hold it, or tie it with twine and hang it.

Otherwise, they get nothing else but feed and occasionally some scrambled eggs if they lay too many lol.

 

[Apis mellifera]

When snow is deep and the temps are in the teens or lower mine get a variety of feeds. Some table scraps, fermented feed, meats, vegetables, suet, all in moderation. They continue to lay and eggs are healthy and fertile in the spring.

 

[Justde]

Thanks everyone. I guess we don't need to worry too much...just do extras as available and not obsess over it.

 

[nuthatched]

I'd do some fodder trays, they're very easy. Just sprout some grain for greens and get a higher protein food.
I wouldn't reccomended adding strait fat or dark leafy greens, both carry problems.

 

[Winston1]

If it's in the 20's or below, twice a week, I've heated up 1 cup of 10 grain hot cereal...adding kale, 1/2 of an apple diced, and some meal worms tossed on top. They love it...but I think it's more for me that they have a warm meal lol. I don't think that could hurt!
Plus they have access to their 16% protein food, oyster shells, grit and fresh water that is plugged in to keep from freezing.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

The only difference between what my birds get in winter and what they get in summer is that they get more in winter. When they can't forage as effectively, they eat more commercial feed.

That's it.

At peak pasture, my birds eat 30-35% less than they do when my ground is near barren - and I'm in a good climate, I always have "some" grass, a few other things. But my insect density (never high, and often certain inedible caterpillar species), goes way down in winter.

 

[FrostRanger]

The only consideration for winter is if your birds eat layer feed and slow down or stop for the winter. If they do you'll need to switch to an all flock as the extra calcium in layer feed is bad for birds that aren't laying. Otherwise, there's nothing you have to do different