Is it okay to feed chickens dried dog food?

[alaskachick]

My mom has a little Yorkie who is very picky and therefore my mom has several bags of food that the doggie didnt like. Can chickens eat this food? It is good quality and expensive food.

 

[Wolfwoman]

I've read several places where they can. Just need to make sure it's enough protein for them.

 

[Kittymomma]

It's not going to be nutritionaly complete for chickens though so why it may be ok for a supplement I wouldn't try feeding it as their main source of food. She could donate it to the local shelter so it doesn't go to waste if that is the main concern.

 

[geebs]

Too much protein for a mainstay but YEP you can add it to thier grains.

 

[dragonlair]

I feed it as a treat in the winter with it's high protein and fat. They love that and dry cat food.

 

[bywaterdog]

The extra protein really helps them when coming out of a moult, the feathers grow back much quicker.

 

[mpathhealr]

So, would I need to crush up the dry dog or cat food before supplementing to the chickens!? You can't tell me they will down it whole? It IS good to know they can use the resource if needed, and as a supplement to their regular feed.
Thanx!

 

[shepherd]

I feed it to my flock as a treat and they love it. And yes they can easily down that stuff. I have dog food with large pices and they swallow it like its nothing.

 

[bywaterdog]

Quote:
If you think that the pieces are too large or hard just add a little water to soften it up.

 

[donrae]

We have to lock my girls OUT of the dogfood! We free feed our farmdog by filling a metal bin, he HAD access to 24/7 until it seemed like he was going through an awful lot.........realized the chickens were having a buffett! It's too expensive to feed the chickens all they want, so we now only open the garage dusk-dawn when the chicks are sleeping, the farmdog eats then. This is the big red bag of Wal-Mart old roy food, big pieces, the chickens never seemed to have a problem getting it down. In fact, if we're working on a project near the garage, they hang around hoping someone will leave the door open and they can get in

So, yeah, okay to feed them, just don't make it their main meal. Use it as a treat and they'll follow you around like the pied piper!