Am I feeding my chickens correctly?

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Taunton52
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Am I feeding my chickens correctly?

Post by Taunton52 »

Hi

I've had chickens for a few years and they appear healthy and have lovely red combs but have periods of having upset tummy's.
I de-worm them on a regular basis but am I giving them a balanced diet. I'd be really grateful for some help. In the morning I give them layers mash with meal worms and throw mixed corn, meal worms and greens into their coup. Evening I usually give them layers mash made into a porridge mixed with sweetcorn and meal worms. At the moment they are out probably about twice a week for a run. The greens I give them vary from spring greens, cabbage, broccoli, spinach and lettuce. They like grapes and blueberries but they are given as a treat.

I'd be really grateful for any help.

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sandy
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Re: Am I feeding my chickens correctly?

Post by sandy »

Hello )wav(
I wouldn't give them any treats until later in the evening, just the mash down all day and just a few treats later on when they have eaten the food that is good for them.
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kitla
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Re: Am I feeding my chickens correctly?

Post by kitla »

I give mash & veg in the morning, then layers pellets available all day & a handful of corn and mealworms scattered before bed. A hopper full of pellets is a good way to go, then they can choose how much they need each day. Lettuce apparently can give them the runs so maybe best to avoid too much of that, and too much corn can make them fat which is not good for their health, so its best to go easy on that.
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Freeranger
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Re: Am I feeding my chickens correctly?

Post by Freeranger »

Hi Kitla,

The mealworms and corn are both quite high protein foods, so I'd personally cut that down a bit - not sure about tummies but it isn't as balanced as you're looking for and could affect laying. The vitamins could come from other chopped veg and peelings if you have leftovers, and the odd bit of rice or pasta.
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KarenE
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Re: Am I feeding my chickens correctly?

Post by KarenE »

Hi

What are you worming them with, and how often do you do it?

As already said, pellets or mash are their complete diet, the corn especially is a treat. Perhaps cut down on the greens a bit, especially the lettuce, and see if that helps?
Karen
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Taunton52
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Re: Am I feeding my chickens correctly?

Post by Taunton52 »

Thank you for the advice. I'll certainly cut down on the lettuce.

I use Flubenvet to de worm according to the instructions.

What other veg do people give their chickens. I've tried potato peelings lightly steamed and they have looked at me as if I've gone mad. They only seem to like green veg
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KarenE
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Re: Am I feeding my chickens correctly?

Post by KarenE »

Sounds like you're doing the right things. It may be the lettuce that's sending them squiffy, if they get it a lot.

Greens are okay, like everything in moderation. Potato peelings I think are a no, and they generally won't eat anything that's bad for them as you've found out! They usually love most veg - sweet corn, cabbage, broccoli, sprouts, carrots, peas. They love tomatoes and the acid is good for their crops. Fruit is good too - melon, apples, pears, plums, strawberries, other berries, grapes, raisins. Citrus fruit is a no I think. You could pick dandelion and other weed leaves for them.

They also love bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, noodles etc but they are definitely to be given very infrequently.

As with everything, moderation is the key!
Karen
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Mo
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Re: Am I feeding my chickens correctly?

Post by Mo »

From reading wartime 'dig for victory' books I think potato is not very digestible. Better if cooked but they still don't get much goodness from it. And if green is bad for man and hen.
Related to deadly nightshade as well as tomato - how strange that some parts of different plants in the same family are edible / poisonous - the little fruits on some potatoes look like toms but are NOT good.
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bikesandbirdsbob
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Re: Am I feeding my chickens correctly?

Post by bikesandbirdsbob »

Hi ,sardines in tomatoe sauce, meat for a change , raptors .....
Beware that some foods make the eggs taste different (so I am told )
Bob

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