Deer block?

[EMMomma]

Hi!
My chickens have been loving flock blocks as a treat. Our local Tractor Supplies don’t have any though. They’re loaded up on deer hunting stuff instead. Can I give my chickens one of the deer feeding blocks that looks like a flock block? TIA!

 

[LizzzyJo]

My guess is that there would be way too much sodium in the deer block. Check that before buying.

 

[EMMomma]

Good point! I will just order one online.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would look at the ingredient list if there is one. Not sure if a nutritional panel is available/required on something like that.

 

[EMMomma]

I did, and the ingredients are very similar. On the nutrition info though it does look like there’s a lot more sodium in the deer block, as LizzzyJo had suspected. I’m not sure what effect the extra sodium would have, but I ordered a flock block online, and hopefully Tractor Supply will get them in stock before I need one again.

 

[Hopeful homesteader]

From what I've read, a chicken only needs about 0.02% of sodium in their diet weekly, anything higher than that and they overdose which leads to organ failure. Feed comes with the appropriate amount of salt and I wouldn't add anything extra as it's too easy for them to overdose. For deer and other wildlife they need more salt because their body is bigger and in the wild there aren't a lot of salt sources inland, many people throw out a salt lick, basically a block of salt for animals to come lick as needed. Funny story, when my husband was young he found a salt lick, idk what compelled him to lick it but he took it home and ate it. Next day found another in the same spot, this went on for 2 weeks until the neighbor caught him and he got in trouble, he just thought they were salt rocks lol.