[mojocafa]

Is it safe to feed hens suet balls for wild birds
It is made up of suet , cereal,  and seeds
What's your thoughts
Mojo

[mentalmilly]

I wouldn`t give my chucks them, not sure what goes in the, could be animal fats, floor sweepings any old rubbish.  Wild birds love them though.

[deepinthewoods]

yup i have, they loved em.

[Sylvia]

My girls love them too. I wouldn't feed a wild bird anything I wouldn't feed to my hens.

[plumseverywhere]

I had some and my chickens loved them! (until the mice found them one night in the barn and I was left with a pile of cereal dust)  I thought they were a good idea in the cold weather 

[goosepimple]

Yes, we put lots out in the snowy period - those single type in their own net bags type of ones - they fell off the trees and bushes quite quickly and our hens happily tucked in to no ill effects.

[chrismahon]

Sounds like a great recipe for sour crop. Wouldn't dream of feeding anything like that to our chickens.

[Rosemary]

Just beware of the net bags which can be dangerous to livestock and wildlife

[Ina]

I make my own fat feed for wild birds, too - cheap lard and seeds...

[Shropshirelass]

That sounds a great idea & form of enrichment for the chooks to  might have to try it (without the bags obviosly) 

[in the hills]

We bought 2 saucepans from a charity shop and melt fat in there ad then stir i wild bird seed. Allow to cool and hang. They last much longer than shop bought ones and we disliked the plastic nets. They blow everywhere and not sure they are very environmentally friendly.


Can chickens legally be fed suet balls? Not sure    but guess they would enjoy a fatty snack.

[Bionic]

Can chickens legally be fed suet balls? Not sure    but guess they would enjoy a fatty snack.

My chickens love the fat and rind I cut off bacon. Am I going something illegally?
Sally

[jaykay]

I do as Ina does  Melted lard and stirred in seed and raisins, pour into plastic pots or whatever.
The wild birds love them, as do the naughty chickens when they escape into the garden and get at them 

[plumseverywhere]

Not supposed to feed animal by products to stock but if chickens aren't to enter the food chain as meat birds does it count? If we are selling eggs would that be an issue? ooh minefield this stuff 

[in the hills]

I don't think they are supposed to be fed any food, meat or veg., that has been through a kitchen (did read once that the only exception maybe if all your household were vegan .... not sure if that is true). I haven't read anywhere that this only applies to meat birds so I have always supposed it to be true for layers as well. You are allowed to give veg peelings to your hens if you peel/prepare them outdoors  . Think all meat products are a no, no.