What good/not good to feed hens?

Oliveview · « **on:** March 08, 2007, 09:12 »

What household scraps can I feed to my hens? Don´t want to give them upset tummies!

Pamela

The Chicken Lady · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2007, 18:53 »

I tend to let mine have left over pasta, potatoes, bread. vegetables

muntjac · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2007, 19:24 »

anything you think they will eat other than oily fish ,easy answer is dont over feed any titbits .the worst that can happen is sour crop or food poisoning and they die

Oliveview · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2007, 10:44 »

I gave them some banana yesterday they didn´t look too impressed! Neighbours hens will not eat slugs, and I threw a big juicy one over for them too, thought they would gobble it down!
They seem keen on the weeds I pull up for them though

Pamela

muntjac · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2007, 14:36 »

Quote from: "oliveview"

I gave them some banana yesterday they didn´t look too impressed! Neighbours hens will not eat slugs, and I threw a big juicy one over for them too, thought they would gobble it down!
They seem keen on the weeds I pull up for them though
Pamela

probably not getting enough greens olive lolo

bramble · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2007, 21:49 »

mine will eat everything except red jelly...

......it is also the only food the dog will refuse to eat dog too !!!

so its a good job the husband will.....I hate throwing food in the bin!!!

mandycharlie · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2007, 23:31 »

I was always told by grandparents and in various chook books, not to feed raw potato (as in peelings etc) that it was poisonous to chickens.. so I personally have never done that.. And don't feed any sort of meat products.. after the BSE crisis, they have outlawed feeding meat products to poultry... can't remember the legislation but it is definately not a good idea.

muntjac · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2007, 11:11 »

green taters may upset em but they will eat em as my tater sacks wil attest to .i left my top gate open and they helped em selves to drying spuds

Hedgewolf · « **Reply #8 on:** March 26, 2007, 20:55 »

Hi All {:^)

Having just recently started with chooks myself, this is a burning question for me too.

Muntjac - you say no oily fish... Could you briefly explain why that is please (I'm a knowledge junkie!) Also, I've come across several different opinions about giving them meat scraps - what's your take on this ?

Take care,
- Tony -

muntjac · « **Reply #9 on:** March 26, 2007, 20:59 »

oily fish clogs the crop and causes diaorhea. as for meat scraps leave it alone matey . think bse and all the other problems would say beware .i havent ever heard of anyone feeding meat scraps to birds other than hawks etc and i wouldnt even go down that road .i feed extra protien by feeding maggots from hanging road kill and they love it but then its only what they would do in the wild .,i havent witnessed a seed eating bird eating carrion iether .so IMHO its a no no

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #10 on:** March 26, 2007, 21:36 »

I believe that too much fat in the diet hinders calcium uptake in the gut .

My chooks love a bit of left over tinned tuna but I wash the oil off of it and mix it with oatmeal and a generous portion of crushed oyster shell.

MontyTom · « **Reply #11 on:** March 26, 2007, 22:20 »

Doesn't the fish oil make the eggs and poo smell too?

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #12 on:** March 26, 2007, 22:24 »

No, Not at all Monty.

Garlic in their diet stops their poo smelling and doesn't flavour the eggs either.

MontyTom · « **Reply #13 on:** March 27, 2007, 22:19 »

I did read (not experience) it. Never mind. Don't forget - we are talking oily fish, e.g. salmon, mackeral, etc. Tinned tuna isn't classed as 'oily' (only fresh) as far as I am aware.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #14 on:** March 27, 2007, 22:44 »

Ah...

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