Scotty from BI
Songster
- Aug 26, 2015
- 184
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I had no idea I was causing damage to my flock by giving them too much protein. Dehydrated grubs, (black soldier fly larve) can be ordered in bulk which I did. I threw out about a cup of bugs to my flock of 10 adult large breed chickens. I figured it's cold and they have been molting so they needed plenty of protein, which I gave them. They are restricted to a closed run, so I also fed them greens in addition to their pelleted layer feed.
I began seeing large watery poops especially at night which I did not connect with too much protein. Also, it is a big mess. I thought it was from impacted crops or something similar. I let it go on for several months. My chickens are about 16 months old now. I have stopped feeding them the grubs and their poops have returned to normal.
so the reason I am posting this is to let others know to moderate the amount of protein you feed especially in the form of dried bugs. Their kidneys can only handle so much protein. Hopefully, I did not injure my birds. They have not been laying very many eggs for young chickens although it is winter so I figure they are taking a break and not suffering kidney damage.
I began seeing large watery poops especially at night which I did not connect with too much protein. Also, it is a big mess. I thought it was from impacted crops or something similar. I let it go on for several months. My chickens are about 16 months old now. I have stopped feeding them the grubs and their poops have returned to normal.
so the reason I am posting this is to let others know to moderate the amount of protein you feed especially in the form of dried bugs. Their kidneys can only handle so much protein. Hopefully, I did not injure my birds. They have not been laying very many eggs for young chickens although it is winter so I figure they are taking a break and not suffering kidney damage.