winter chook advise

[G Schofield]

I have had my girls for a year and a half now and wondered if I should still feed them layers pellets over winter or should I feed them something else and let them have a rest from laying:confused while they moult?????

[Hans Mum]

i feed my girls layer pellets all year round, but in winter I do give them a bowl of porridge with poltry spice & any other titbits added late afternoon before they go to bed, gives them something to get them through the long cold nights i think.....ive only had my girls 2 years and they are doing ok with this, but am sure someone with much more knowledge & experience than me will be along soon

[Glutton4...]

Carry on with the Layers' Pellets, as they contain all the vital nutrients for their health. You can supplement this with some Poultry Spice during the Moult, just to help them along.

When it is cold, they will like a warm mash; just mix some Pellets with warm water, and Poultry Spice if you have some. It'll be eaten very quickly. Also, in the evening, as well as their corn, you could give warm mashed potato or Pasta. They will also be gobbled up!

Those that can lay all Winter, will continue to do so. My ex-Batts tend to lay sporadically over the Winter months, but the Marans like to have the winter off!

[tlck9]

agreed with the above, my chucks love their layer pellets in warm water, and I mix a small amount of poultry spice to it, I also add a small amount of porridge oats and it gets wolfed down. In fact I've watered layer mash over the summer as well, not warm, but they love it, they prefer it very watery.

[BUFFS]

i give mine some hot cheapo rice,dusted with poultry spice (twice a week),they love it ,its their favourite,they get it about an hour before dark so they roost with full bellies to keep them warm and laying,and their excitement when i carry the big bowl over has to be seen,mornings is usual layers pellets and some greens......

[jimred]

spaghetti goes down well plus a few dried mealworms drizzled with cod liver oil!

[moola]

you want to keep giving them layers - if you drop the protein levels you will find that they will lessen off on the laying front. Layers mash is a good option for some in the winter as you can add in hot water and mix up with supplements like cod liver oil and poultry spice. Giving your chook some corn - or maize before they roost will help them keep toasty overnight. If you can, avoid giving it before as they will favour this over layers and end up fat, compromising their laying ability.
With the mash - do not put down too much or it will go to waste. Once it gets cold it goes sour and the hens tend not to eat it.
Depending on what type of chooks you have they may or may not lay,. Pure breeds (except perhaps good Austrolorps) tend to lay through their first winter and then not again through winters. Hybrids continue throughout. Hope this helps

[thepopela]

I was gonna post this aswell, so thanks to all the advice!
i always cook too much spaghetti and rice and normally just threw it out, the chooks will be in for a treat from now on!