[mickwood]

Bread....my girls LOVE it!! but is it good for them? I heard that it can block they're...'crop'(is that what it's called?)  :?
I give them small amounts during the afternoon/evening as a wee treat!  

[GrannieAnnie]

They always say not to feed birds bread, because it swells up too when they drink afterwards, but we give our girls the odd bit now and again for a treat, but not every day.

[Jellyhead]

In moderation as Aunt Sally says   I give mine bread, I try to crumble it (mainly cos it goes further then) as they all lunge at me :shock:  :shock: but I dont give it every day

[compostqueen]

not really no

Occasionally tiny crumbs with Marmite on (teeny weeny bits only   )
No jam or marm though  

[mickwood]

Thanks guys! I think I'll leave it for the occassional treat then  

[compostqueen]

Absolutely as it's not normal food for a chook and the last thing you want is a bunged up crop. The chicken that is, not you  

Hey if you see any of that Ostrea in your local pet shop giz a shout will ya. Ta

[mickwood]

Ostrea? what's that then? I'l keep my eyes peeled!

[richyrich7]

Ostrea? what's that then? I'l keep my eyes peeled!

Ground oyster shell,

I give my hens a little bread and spread every now and then.

[Bodger]

If you are concerned about this swelling up in their crop, then why not soak it like I do ?
With the price of food, I don't think you can aford not to feed them bread, if you can get a supply. I feed it to my birds but best be aware of the fact that bread is nort partcularly high in protein but it certainly fills hungry mouths.
I have a couple of sources for waste bread and my birds also get treats of sticky buns and cakes. I presume that they have higher protein content. Whenever possible, I feed brown bread but beggars can't be choosers.

[richyrich7]

So what foods can we feed 'em Bodger to cut feed costs and do you think its worth the saving. My mum always told us to feed table scraps to them like she did in WWII, but I found that too much of it and they get fat and go off lay.