[ThisTooShallPass]

Mangle beets are common chicken fodder. They over winter well, to be rationed out as needed. Drill a hole through one, hang it on a light rope (to keep it up out of any poop), & they peck away. Some chickens have no clue what it is, so it may take a while for them get a clue it is food.

[Daydream Believer]

When my chickens hear me coming on the Gator at feeding time, they come running as a herd/flock all at once. They know I have their evening scratch. Chickens are a riot..

[JB]

I love the idea of some beets!

[quarterhorse4me]

Wow! Who ever thought a chicken feeding thread could get so testy. It has been entertaining reading with a glass of wine.

As always JB is the voice of reason!

[Megaladon]

Mangle beets are common chicken fodder. They over winter well, to be rationed out as needed. Drill a hole through one, hang it on a light rope (to keep it up out of any poop), & they peck away. Some chickens have no clue what it is, so it may take a while for them get a clue it is food.

I'm surprised that someone actually knows about Mangel beets...

[Calvincrowe]

Are we talking beets or mangelwurzels? I've tossed beets, both raw and cooked in for my hens with poor results (others may have had better luck!). I don't think mangels are grown much in the US--is anyone cultivating them for cattle feed here? It is funny how different chickens like different foods--my friend's hens love strawberries, mine are lukewarm about them, but blueberries are manna from heaven! Go figure...

We have a small produce store that will give away boxes of trimmings and "bad" veggies and fruits, but most stores will not simply hand them out. When I asked why not, they told me it was due to liability--if someone ate the questionable items, they might (at the least) bad-mouth the store or go so far as to sue. So, they throw it away. Sad, isn't it?

[Megaladon]

Are we talking beets or mangelwurzels? I've tossed beets, both raw and cooked in for my hens with poor results (others may have had better luck!). I don't think mangels are grown much in the US--is anyone cultivating them for cattle feed here? It is funny how different chickens like different foods--my friend's hens love strawberries, mine are lukewarm about them, but blueberries are manna from heaven! Go figure...

We have a small produce store that will give away boxes of trimmings and "bad" veggies and fruits, but most stores will not simply hand them out. When I asked why not, they told me it was due to liability--if someone ate the questionable items, they might (at the least) bad-mouth the store or go so far as to sue. So, they throw it away. Sad, isn't it?

I was talking of the Mammoth Red Mangel beet. Grown and used as livestock feed in the 1800s. Huge cilyndrical beets. I'm gathering that this is what ThisTooShallPass was talking of as well. I don't know what mangelwurzels are.

[kookicat]

Layer ration is much lower in protein compared to meat bird feed, meat bird feed is much lower in calcium. If your hens are not laying and you want to plump them up or give more calories in a smaller amount, meat bird feed might work for you. Laying hens on meat bird ration need calcium supplementation.

You can buy all sorts of bird feed and give it to your chickens, not sure if that is cheaper. Whole grains work too. I have never seen an undigested corn seed come through yet.

Calcium supplementation idea: I save all the egg shells, bake them when the overn is on for another reason, crush the shells and add back to the feed. Eggs and hens are staying good and strong.

What does baking the shells do please?

[Alagirl]

What does baking the shells do please?

probably sanitize them.