The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Kier on July 18, 2008, 08:35:17 pm

Title: Chicken treats/enrichment
Post by: Kier on July 18, 2008, 08:35:17 pm

My free range chickens and ducks seem happy enough but is there anything I can do to enrich their lives?any treats?I usually feed them corn as a treat and mealworms what do you guys usually do??????
Cheers in advance guys  :chook:

Title: Re: Chicken treats/enrichment
Post by: hexhammeasure on July 19, 2008, 12:19:43 am

for the hens we hang cabbage leaves and other veg offcuts on low branches near their house and dig a strip of ground for them to scratch at

the ducks also love a strip of ground turned over especially good moist soil they can seive their beaks through
but always have plenty of water handy so they can wash their food and beaks

Title: Re: Chicken treats/enrichment
Post by: Rosemary on July 19, 2008, 08:45:08 am

A couple of tins of sardines once a week - they go mad for them.

Title: Re: Chicken treats/enrichment
Post by: Hilbillie on July 19, 2008, 01:43:58 pm

Sardines in oil or tomato sauce?

Title: Re: Chicken treats/enrichment
Post by: Rosemary on July 19, 2008, 08:07:07 pm

Sunflower oil - olive oil is too expensive!

Title: Re: Chicken treats/enrichment
Post by: pigsatlesrues on July 19, 2008, 10:56:18 pm

You can recycle their shells as well.  Ours go mad when I throw them out of the door.

Since we have moved ours onto new ground at our new house they are absolutely addicted to clover.  They move around in a group from one clump to another. 

Lettuce as well, although I am aware that it has something in it that shouldn't be given in large regular quantities.

Kate  :chook: