Winter supplement

[Brightwater Bantams]

Howdy, I free range my flock in my yard with little trouble until this time of year when they start to wander to my neighbor's. I'm convinced they expand their foraging territory as the available food decreases. They are on a commercial diet, supplemented with some (I suspect low quality) scratch and also household scraps. Some calcium, though I rarely give it.

Anybody really step some aspect of the feed in winter? If I can solve this through diet I'll be thrilled. Otherwise I'll have to shrink my flock and keep them penned when I'm at work.
TIA!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

What's different this time of year? Fewer bugs? Maybe it's the protein that's reduced in their diet right now.

 

[serendipity22]

http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/chickens/Chunky-Chicken-Caviar-MPC-Exclusive-p923.aspx

This stuff always increases my hens production. It must be green magic...

 

[cubalaya]

try premier layer booster. we give ours turnips and greens that are still in the garden.

 

[LiLRedCV]

Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (aka BOSS) and alfalfa hay can help considerably at this time of year.

 

[ThePigeonKid]

Quote:
Cool! Thanks!

 

[fayeoli]

Wow that chunky chicken caviar sounds yummy stuff. I have 3 Orpingtons and 2 Polish and I give them some dried mealworm that they sell for wild birds, I just give them a handful and they go mad for it, very high in protein, they also like black sunflower seeds. You can also buy some suet mixture balls for wild birds I may try that if its suitable for the chooks for a little treat when its really cold.

 

[fayeoli]

Sorry I just duplicated the above post and can only edit it, don't know how to delete it!