What NOT to feed hens

[nuthatchinator]

I guess chickens will eat just about anything, and I know soy is good, so I wonder about tofu? I just gave my hens some fish, and I've been giving them lettuce, broccoli, zucchini, etc. But tofu? Anyone?

[JamesC]

nuthatchinator:
Tofu is made from soy.

Everything else you list is fine - lettuce is mostly water so it's the least beneficial food on your list. However, chickens do better with a plain diet of feed, 16-18% protein with grass clippings and weeds. I know a lot of people get satisfaction from giving vegetable scraps from their kitchens and as long as they are not prepared with salt and spices I agree with that, it's better than wasting them. That being said, if they fill up on low protein foods, they will not be getting the protein they need to produce high quality eggs while keeping themselves healthy.

You didn't mention bread, but personally I think people should not feed bread to their chickens. Bread provides lots of bulk with very few nutrients. Those who feel they have to feed bread should at least use a whole grain bread.

James

[nuthatchinator]

I agree about bread. AND NO POPCORN. No nutrients there either. My point was that since tofu is soy, should we feed it to our chickens? It's a great protein. Also, I am told we should consider most things a "treat". Even scratch.

[RonL]

One thing I read about soy is that you should never feed chickens "raw" soybean. They contain toxins that inhibit growth. I think your tofu would be OK as it is somewhat processed ........

[Heidicat]

:shock: :shock: Ok the soy bean thing is freaking me out. The last 50lb bag of black oil sunflower seeds, I purchased,,has a bunch of soy beans in it!!!! Girls LOVE sunflower seeds,,,and now I am scared thtat I may of poisoned them???? :( I don't "think" they ate many of them,,,as it would be a very small amount of them,,,in relation to the sunflower seeds. But,,,,should I stop giving them the mixed sunflower seeds??? It is "just" this bag,,,I did say something to the feedstore gal,,,but she is about as helpful,,,,as asking my daughter,,, :roll: She tries,,,but is so new to the business,,,I had to tell her what to order and keep in stock,,for all of us chicken owners,,,to purchase.

So, Mr. Ron,,lol,, :wink: ,,where and what did you read,,,and could you please let me know????

Thanks a million, Heidi

[RonL]

Heidi. I don't think it would kill them. In a "Make your own feed" recipe, it mentioned this. I believe it was for protein. You use "meat scraps, fish meal or soybean meal". Then it mentioned never to use "raw soybeans". They also said you can substitute cooked soybeans for soybean meal. I would think it to be the same as potato skins. Cooked, but not raw .........

[Heidicat]

Thank you buddy,,,I will not be giving out any more of that particular bag. :x I don't know what is going on at the feedstore,,but even my horse feed is very "dirty"??? Loads of debris, and "fines" in it. ggrrrr probably getting it from a different dealer,,and it was cheaper. Cheaper does not mean better,,,in MY book.! I wish now I would of "pushed" Art to buy that business,,,we serousily looked into it,,but at the time, figured that whomever did,,,would maybe keep it the same stock. Plus, I already have my own business,,,and didn't want to run both. Anyhoooooooo thanks again for the excellent info, Ron,,,you are the best!!! :P

Heidi :wink:

[fleabite]

regarding bread, I gave mind some as a treat, and Katie bar the door, it was the first time I thought the chickens were not afraid of me...Little do they know (another 4 weeks :twisted: ). but anyway, I don't give it to them all the time. But I do have a big box of long cook oat meal that I have been wondering about ? - not all at once of course.

[chefjohn]

I feed mine oat meal from time to time. Both as is and sometimes cooked with milk.

[fleabite]

lol, if I'm going to cook it, I'll eat it myself.... :lol: Thanks

[JamesC]

fleabite:

Rolled oats will be just fine - no need to cook it.

James

[Heidicat]

I feed oatmeal to my girls, too. Only in the very coldest parts of winter,,and I will mix it with a dry milk,,and very warm water,,,,I "guess", it would be sort of, cooked. But oh boy do they love it,,,all nice and warm,,,it is a good way to warm them up after a night of below 0 temps. During the other times of year,,I will give mine sunflower seeds, and a little bit of rolled oats,,,just for a treat. I also give out a whole grain wheat bread,,,soaked in eggs,,that have tooo many blood spots,,,for my husband to consider eating. :roll:

Right now,,the girls are loving the extra produce that is coming out of the garden,,,cukes, tomatoes, zuccinni,,,really really like the cukes!!! They will fight over who gets the insides. :lol:

[fleabite]

this will be my first winter w/birds in alaska, on the coast line the temps are pretty moderate, I've seen -8 for a week or so at a time. But oat meal seems like a good thing anytime,

[fleabite]

Yeppers! They went crazy for the oat meal. They feed out of my hand now and the closer it gets to butcher time - I'm sure the harder it will be. It's got to be done however, room and the cost of meat in this part of the world pretty much gives me no choice....My son is already wanting to take the only rooster I think I might have off of my hands. I might let him too. He's going to be a pretty boy..... The bigger they get the hard they peck too. lol....