Wild bird seeds for chickens?

[Irishjustin]

Hi all
Just wondering if it's ok to give wild bird seed to chicken's as a treat?
Thanks

 

[Inga73]

I don't think it would do any harm in moderation, I gave my chickens a suet ball meant for wild birds the other day and they loved it!

 

[nuthatched]

I use wild bird seed as scratch, it has better protein levels than chicken scratch since it's not mostly corn.

 

[Irishjustin]

I don't think it would do any harm in moderation, I gave my chickens a suet ball meant for wild birds the other day and they loved it!

Thanks

 

[U_Stormcrow]

First. No need for it. Chickens will as happily scratch for thrown complete feed as they will for thrown "scratch", "cracked corn", or bird seed.

Second, any treat should be fed in moderation - not to exceed 10% of the daily diet, by weight. That's about 10g per bird. That's because any treat offered as alternative to a complete feed displaces at least part of the diet, resulting in nutritional imbalance. Keeping the amount fed down helps to avoid accidentally creating significant imbalances.

Third, while bird seed *IS* higher protein than largely corn-based "scratch", and that sounds like a good thing, seeds are also VERY high in fat, which is most definitely *NOT* a good thing. Target diet for a chicken (breed, gender, age dependent) is in the range of 16-20% protein, 3.5% fat +/-, 3.5% fiber +/-. Diets for CornishX to table are a bit higher in fat, and often in protein - but those diets are designed to maximize table weight in a given time period, not the longevity of the birds. Many seeds are upwards of 40% fat, and also high fiber (if still in shell). ***The EU makes use of lower protein, amino acid supplimented feeds to much greater degree than does the US, where the risks of dietary imbalance from alternative foods is therefore greater.

Fourth, bird seed is attractive to wild bird species, encouraging the presence of foreign disease vectors in the area of your flock.

Finally, "yes, in moderation, infrequently, its good for your entertainment and theirs. Just not good for their regular diet."

 

[Dawgking]

I mix a 40lb bag of bird seed per 200lbs of maintenance feed.

 

[Irishjustin]

First. No need for it. Chickens will as happily scratch for thrown complete feed as they will for thrown "scratch", "cracked corn", or bird seed.

Second, any treat should be fed in moderation - not to exceed 10% of the daily diet, by weight. That's about 10g per bird. That's because any treat offered as alternative to a complete feed displaces at least part of the diet, resulting in nutritional imbalance. Keeping the amount fed down helps to avoid accidentally creating significant imbalances.

Third, while bird seed *IS* higher protein than largely corn-based "scratch", and that sounds like a good thing, seeds are also VERY high in fat, which is most definitely *NOT* a good thing. Target diet for a chicken (breed, gender, age dependent) is in the range of 16-20% protein, 3.5% fat +/-, 3.5% fiber +/-. Diets for CornishX to table are a bit higher in fat, and often in protein - but those diets are designed to maximize table weight in a given time period, not the longevity of the birds. Many seeds are upwards of 40% fat, and also high fiber (if still in shell). ***The EU makes use of lower protein, amino acid supplimented feeds to much greater degree than does the US, where the risks of dietary imbalance from alternative foods is therefore greater.

Fourth, bird seed is attractive to wild bird species, encouraging the presence of foreign disease vectors in the area of your flock.

Finally, "yes, in moderation, infrequently, its good for your entertainment and theirs. Just not good for their regular diet."

Thanks for all the info

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Thanks for all the info

Its what BYC is for. Happy to be able to offer a hand.

 

[Irishjustin]

Its what BYC is for. Happy to be able to offer a hand.

What is scratch? My chicken are free ranging with about half an acre of grass there is also a gravel driveway does this provide the scratch?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

What is scratch? My chicken are free ranging with about half an acre of grass there is also a gravel driveway does this provide the scratch?

"Scratch" is a US term of art for a low protein (usually), cheap, and often whole grain/seed mix thrown at the ground to encourage chickens to scratch around, hunting for food. Here, its usually mostly corn and other low protein local grains (barley, oats, sorghum, soft wheat), often with some BOSS (black oil sunflower seed), millet, milo, and the like. Typically only around 8% protein, and sometimes upwards of 8-10% fiber.

Similar to the UK's "mixed corn", as I understand it.

Scratch, btw, is completely unnecessary.