Treats for molting season...post those recipes!!

[LulaBell]

Hi All This is my first year with chickens that are about to or have started molting. What do you give your flock to help support them during this time? I provide a 16% layer feed year round as well as fry eggs from time to time as a treat. I also grind up and give back their egg shells for extra calcium. What do you do?? Any special treat recipes or combinations you use please share
Thank you in advance!!

 

[andreanar]

I will give mealworms, eggs, and meat as treats.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Since your layers will slow down their egg production, I suggest feeding a higher protein feed...(Flock Raiser or grower) with a supply of oyster shell on the side. I feed my flock Flock Raiser year round.

 

[Chickassan]

Meat, I buy the weird stuff that isn't too expensive pork bellies, pig feet and if I can luck out and get the nice meat department guy I ask him for trimmings. Funny though I have do feed the girls their caveman diet secretly since the husband is convinced meat turns chickens into savages. He knows nothing! They were plently savage before they ever even thought about pecking down a pig trotter.

 

[BPlayer]

Never thought of scraps from butcher, great idea

 

[adrikeen]

I can't bring myself to give the girls chicken...so turkey it is!
Mealworms too...then again, that's their normal treat...if they don't get their worms, I wind up with 24 Velociraptors.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

... my... chickens have started molting. What do you give your flock to help support them during this time?

I seldom give a "treat" as such but I highly recommend things like canned dog food (with a meat ingredient) whey, buttermilk, minnows, roadkill, a good grade of dog food kibble, and pig chow are all great additions as is calf manna. I also like to soak my regular pellets and grain ration and add Cod liver oil or other vitamins and minerals and then wait a few hours until all the water is absorbed before feeding it. This makes a good evening feed but I feed it as part of a balanced ration, not as a treat.

 

[LulaBell]

I seldom give a "treat" as such but I highly recommend things like canned dog food (with a meat ingredient) whey, buttermilk, minnows, roadkill, a good grade of dog food kibble, and pig chow are all great additions as is calf manna. I also like to soak my regular pellets and grain ration and add Cod liver oil or other vitamins and minerals and then wait a few hours until all the water is absorbed before feeding it. This makes a good evening feed but I feed it as part of a balanced ration, not as a treat.

I have always been told you don't give chickens meat or meat based anything. I had been very cautious for a long time as to what I feed. SLowly, I am learning that is not the case and it is beneficial to provide meat products. Thank you for the info!

 

[chickens really]

I toss them dry cat food..It's simpler than buying different things..

 

[LulaBell]

I found Nutrena Meatbird Feed at tractor Supply that is 22%. Would that be ok, does it have the right nutrients?