Grow Your Own Magazine

My daughter keeps chickens and has asked me to find out if it is safe for her to feed her chooks with sunflower and pumpkin seeds as she sometimes has them in the cupboard that have run out of date. (I am trying to persuade her to join the forum but she is shy!!) Since they seem to eat everything in their path I would have said yes but she doesn't trust her mum!! Also somebody said they feed theirs with porridge. I take it that means cooked porridge and is that in water or with milk (ie left over from the kids' breakfasts or doesn't it matter). Sorry, lots of questions there. Sanjo

I should think sunflower seeds would be fine as they are, pumpkin seeds I would be tempted to chop roughly as they're a bit bigger, especially if you have bantams. Cooked porridge is fabulous and chooks love it, especially warm on a cold winters day. As with everything, don't over-indulge on the treats and preferably make the porridge with water instead of milk as chickens can't digest lactose very well.

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Dwell simply ~ love richly

Hi not sure about seeds, but the porridge def has to be made with water. Also give them scraps of left over pasta - or cook an extra handful, they love that too.

janeyo

Thanks ladies, I'll pass the message on.