[Skywise]

Well, I've now had my girls for a whole week and am pleased to report  that none of them have turned up their toes yet 

Anyway, I've got a couple more questions if you guys don't mind.

Firstly, I've been feeding them on layers pellets because that's what the farmer said I should be feeding them at this point.  None of them are laying as yet although Phyllis (Sussex Star) and Mrs Speckeldy (guess what breed she is  ) definitely have redder combs and wattles than this time last week.

I'm also giving them mixed corn in the afternoons and they have windfall apples and some cabbage hung up which they seem to be enjoying.

My question is - should I be giving them any protein?  They're going mad for slugs and practically fighting each other for them when they find one so I was wondering if this is because they're short of protein in their main diet.  Should I feed them any meat at all?  They're not moulting but they do seem to be desperate for the protein.  Maybe some cat food?

Also, I''ve been a bit naughty and have been encouraging them to eat out of my hand by giving them some stale blackcurrant muffins which I baked earlier in the week.  Again, they seem to love these but should I be feeding them baked goods? My only defence is that the muffins are full of blackcurrants so the girls are getting some Vitamin C from them.

I'll try and get some photos of them uploaded at some time - just because I'm so proud of them.

Thanks

Sky

[Lewjam]

heh glad your enjoying your hens!

To answer your questions:

1) I wouldn’t give them any protein at all, layers pellets should be balanced enough for them.  You will soon see them fighting over anything that’s alive they think they can get in there beaks!  Doesn’t mean they are malnourished, only that they are eyes to big for their belly hens!  You could give them a whole Tuna every day and they would still squabble over a scrap of food your thrown in after heh.

2) General advice is to avoid bready type products, if only because they can swell and cause issues.  More the point the more "other things" you feed them the less layers pellets they will eat and you may have issues with soft eggs when they start laying.


Some people are very strict on this, i tend to feed mine a small hand full of treat a day (corn, or pasta/rice) between the three hens to keep them on side and havnt had any ill effects as yet. 

Just make sure its in moderation!

[helens-hens]

Firstly glad you are enjoying your hens!

The layers pellets should be the main source of food for your hens. Don't tempt them with too many treats as they will start to act like children and will start to demand the treats and go off the pellets.

I don't think there is anything wrong with a sprinkle of corn in the afternoon and the odd cabbage or similar in their run but don't be tempted to overdo the treats. Re the muffins, remember hens dietary requirements are very different to ours. I am not sure about the vitamin c (not that there would be much after baking) but I do know that the fat and sugar content won't be good for them.

Re the slugs, hens do like them (along with worms, insects etc) but that doesn't mean they are short of protein. The one time when hens may need a little extra protein is to help them with the moult (I think yours will be too young for this) and then some owners give their hens a small amount of cat food or tuna. Apart from that I wouldn't give them meat or cat food, it is not necessary.

Going back to the slugs, it is part of their natural instinct to hunt for food and I guess fresh, live  prey is particularly attractive to them. (I currently have a bit of an earwig problem - they have been breeding in the coop - but the girls go mad for them if they spot any).

Hope this helps and remember to send the pics

[Lindeggs]

I totally agree with Lewjam and helens-hens.

Just an extra word about protein: hens need about 16% - 18% protein in their diet.  If you look at the nutritional panel on your bag of layers' pellets you will find that's exactly what is in there!  So the pellets are a perfectly balanced diet.

Protein is not the same as meat.  Many grains (especially legumes) are very high in protein.

[Skywise]

Thanks for the advice guys - I'll stick to feeding them pellets, greens and corn for now and let them fight over any slugs/grubs that they find for themselves.

It was just that they were going *so* mad over the slugs that I got a bit concerned.

I knew, really, that I shouldn't be feeding them muffins - I just wanted them to eat out of my hand and they did love them.  

 *is a small and sorry Skywise*   

[Lewjam]

heh, depending on persanlities of the birds, you might find they go mad and eat corn from your hand rather then muffins any way heh.

If i had muffin in one hand and corn in the other, they go mad for corn!

Giving them a little of somthing aint gona hurt them, just as long as its not a regular part of the diet

[bygrace]

One the subject of treats, what does anyone think of feeding currants? I have some that I've had for a while and they've gone a bit crystallised. The starlings love them, so maybe chooks too? I know they're sweet, but presumably nothing more than fruit that they'd pinch of my bushes?

As for slugs, do I need to chop them up? I have some real whoppers in my garden 

Thanks - and sorry for hijacking your thread skywise!!

[Skywise]

No probs 

They seem to manage the slugs okay by themselves.  We've got some momsters roaming around our garden but the girls seem to demolish them within seconds.

[Lindeggs]

I think currants should be fine, but again spread them out and just give a few at a time so they're still eating mostly their balanced feed.

One of my chickens in particular loves slugs - the others avoid them.  Another will eat snails but not slugs.  The one that eats slugs isn't keen on worms.  Another will bowl you over to get at a worm behind you.  Crazy animals.

Personally, pre-chopping slugs is one step beyond what I'm prepared to do for my chickens.   

[Sassy]

Never mind slugs - wait until you catch them fighting over a frog or mouse. You would be amazed at how long a frog can stretch ..............!!