GLuten free feed??????

[dustyrustytexan]

We have a laying flock of 9 hens that started laying about a month ago. It never occurred to me that I might have problems from the chicken's diet untiI I got very sick each time I ate our new eggs!! Then I realized my husband was feeding them bread & crackers for treats. I have years of experience with food allergies & reactions so have learned to efficiently evaluate my own, which is a frustrating process but you learn with experience how to make the connections. After he stopped feeding them gluten products, my egg tolerance was much improved, but I still don't feel well when I eat them, plus it bothers my t-cell rash (immune system attacking my skin caused by celiac reaction). This leads me to my search for gluten free chicken feed.

Because of my health issues I already have a hard time maintaining basic every day chores, so I need a prepared feed I can scoop & feed as opposed to mixing & preparing my own. They already free range the yard all day, but still eat a fair share of layer pellets, which I think they need for nutrient balance. Planning to try Texas Natural Feeds next, which is very expensive but if it works, it sure beats having to not eat our eggs!! & for that matter, I really shouldn't be handling the other feeds because I am so sensitive by smell & touch too. The only possible irritant I see on the ingredients is oats, which may be fine for those who are less sensitive. It remains to be seen whether this feed will work for me or not, but I have yet to find another option without the oats.

In case anyone helpful wanted to suggest egg allergies, when I buy eggs in the grocery store I do fine with them!!

 

[UtePassChickens]

Celiac two years ago I would of guessed was a sporting eventof some kind...Since I have learned much and presently I am researching the above question, for regardless of the egg, my daughter would enjoy feeding the chickens. Unfortunately, the simple touch or breathing in of the dust, can effect her much the same as eating it. just FYI as I now search a gluten free chicken feed for my little girl

 

[Binkydl]

Are you cooking this mixture? Are you still using it? Does anyone else have any tried and true gluten free recipes? I also have celiac.

 

[ShanandGem]

I would think a legume based diet would be appropriate for celiac egg eaters. It would require you to cook for your birds but I imagine people who suffer from celiac are used to all sorts of extra steps when it comes to their food.
I cook my chickens mixed beans, a little fish, spinach and corn. Once it's nearly cool I add cod liver oil and a 300 mg calcium supplement. They do very well on it.

 

[Binkydl]

Thank you for the reply!

 

[ShanandGem]

You're welcome! I should clarify I don't have Celiac, I just like cooking for my birds lol.

 

[UtePassChickens]

i have searched far and wide to find celiac safe chicken feed. there is a mill in fort collins, co called Ranch-Wa. they make a gluten-free chicken feed but only on special order so it has to be an order of 1,000lbs! I been happy with their organic variety (my hens LOVE IT) but with 5- chickens a 1,000 lbs is laughable! my daughter has celiac so until I find an affordable alternative...I feed the chickens the grain through a mess-free 5-gallon bucket feeder and let my daughter feed them our table scraps and what-not. Oats do not have gluten so it would be more likely it is the barley or wheat in the feed causing the problem. also more likely your contact with the chicken feed itself then by eating the eggs of gluten eating chicken. I would try letting someone else handle all the grain based feeds when you are not around and leave the other types of food for you to feed the with.

 

[UtePassChickens]

i love home maid food made at someone elses house! you can cook for us anytime!!! lol have a great evening!

 

[VanBack]

my daughter as diagnosed 5 years ago. Got pregnant, after 10 yrs of marriage. Forced me to be tested as well... upon reading that chickens can pass gluten to eggs & meat because of their digestion, I started raising chickens for eggs. I feed a Pheasant feed from a local feed mill. Gluten free. Higher protein. Cheaper than layer feed. My hens continue to be health & productive
I know the gluten in chickens has not been 'proven'. I've had chicken specialist argue the 'fact' with me. I've also had some agree that safe is better than sorry. Eggs from my own hens taste better (one if my daughters complains that they are sweeter). Are fresher. And don't make me sick. It's worth it to me

 

[Binkydl]

Would you please post a link to your pheasant feed? Thank you!