[orchardlady]

Reading a magazine article recently I came across this. The article was called 'Keeping the cold out.' I personally think it's a lovely idea to give the extra rations like this and I think I'll give the pheasant mix a go but what do you think?

"During winter months I occasionally give my birds a pheasant mix that I get from my agricultural merchants. This is a feed which is added to wheat for pheasants that are in release pens and they love it. The mix consists of chopped maize (also called kibbled) split peas, sunflower seeds and aniseed.
The mixture is obviously a seasonal product but it is possible to buy bagged chopped maize and bagged sunflower seeds at any time. There is also a 'super' mixed corn ration that contains wheat barley, chopped maize and split peas.
Although all these products are more expensive than straight wheat, it is worth investing in a bag or two over the really dark months of winter. Chopped maize is normally only fed to chickens over the winter months as it is a warming feed - similar to us eating porridge on a cold morning.

[Goldfinger]

I think you should be careful of the stuff that contains the aniseed. It may have an effect on your chooks.

It's what I think is known as the 'puller' in the pheasant feed. It's addictive to the birds so it keeps them near to the pens (feeding points).

I hope this helps.

Chris

[joyfull]

I think quite a few breeders feed this (we can buy a similar one called garden mix which also has anniseed in it) but my girls didn't like it. I think Garvo feeds do one with anniseed in as well. If you want to feed this then use it as you would their mixed corn treat - small quantities in the afternoon.

[Sassy]

Just wonder if the aniseed may taint the eggs - if you are still getting any!

[henamoured]

Poultry spice has aniseed in it which I've been giving to mine for the last 2 weeks over their moult. Can't say I've noticed any difference to the eggs from the 2 chx that are still laying.