Cat Biscuits And Protein

FowlMan · **Posted:** Fri Sep 07, 2012 7:55 am

Petite Poulet wrote:

cluckingmad wrote:

Hello, How often can I give sardines? I have a point of lay who has laid 3 eggs over a wee, 1 soft shell 2 shell less.
Thank you. dh8989u9

cluckingmad,

Do your chookies have access to extra shell grit? Chooks need calcium and Vitamin D (helps the body absorb calcium) to produce egg shells. You can also get a liquid calcium supplement to add to their water. Plain Greek yoghurt is also a good source of calcium and treat they will enjoy especially in summer. You can add finely chopped garlic to it at full moons as a natural wormer.

My girls get a tin of .69c Homebrand sardines from Coles once or twice a week as a treat. They didn't like the fish based cat biscuits :roll:

I had to give it to someone we knew who had cats.

very good answer summed it up perfect [smilie=a_goodjobson.gif]

cluckingmad · **Joined:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 5:28 pm **Posts:** 4

Brownie wrote:

cluckingmad wrote:

Hello, yes they have shell grit out at all times (and eat the crushed shells for the vege patch). The other 2 girls lay eggs with hard shells (got all 3 on same day, 1 laid with in 2 weeks the second in 5 and this one just started last friday). [smilie=thanks.gif]

Hello cluckingmad. I had a problem with two soft-shelled eggs from my four hens a few days ago. Apparently a shock of some sort can bring the soft eggs on, even a loud noise or a sudden downpour for example. My two most sensitive hens had soft eggs the day after I made a racket with power tools right near them. By sensitive, I mean that one is scared of jumping on even a low perch and the other taps her beak on metal sheeting each day and seems to like the sound of it. So just wondering if your soft-shelled layer is a bit sensitive and if there was a shock of some sort the day before?

Nope, no scares. and she certainly isn't sensitive she is very hmm.. naughty is probably the best way to describe her!

Brownie · **Posted:** Fri Sep 07, 2012 1:59 pm

cluckingmad wrote:

Nope, no scares. and she certainly isn't sensitive she is very hmm.. naughty is probably the best way to describe her!

Uh huh. Well you're giving her shellgrit already so no problem there, and she's a new layer, so it must just be one of those things that happen while she's getting her new laying routine sorted out.

This is an excellent reference for different egg shell types. Scroll down a bit to see the table with descriptions -
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/ ... ll-quality

Donan · **Joined:** Sat Sep 08, 2012 8:31 am **Posts:** 1

With regard to the sardines do you drain off the juice before you feed it and also do you use whole sardines or sardine pieces?

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

Donan,

Donan wrote:

With regard to the sardines do you drain off the juice before you feed it and also do you use whole sardines or sardine pieces?

I just open a tin of sardines in oil, drain off the excess vegetable oil and put them whole on a pet dish. The girls like to peck at the whole sardines and bones. You could buy the more expensive sardines in brine or springwater but the .69c sardines at Coles are just as good and economical. They don't mind can plain tuna either.

I generally give the sardines to them when there is no one at home to let them out and free range, usually once or twice a week. Sort of a treat for being cooped up and a healthy boredom buster.

Taringa Qld · **Joined:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 8:20 pm **Posts:** 2

How would I go giving some ducklings cat biscuits soaked in water?

SussexLover · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2012 8:05 am

Playing around with protein levels and ducklings is very dangerous. Give them the correct product for ducks at the correct age and forget about playing around with non duck food. It's especially important that you give them the right protein level for their age groups otherwise, you can develop problems which take ages to correct, if ever...

From www.liveducks.com:

Ducklings to 3 weeks - 20-22% protein, non-medicated starter mash or crumbles
Adolescents 3 to 6 weeks - 16% protein, non-medicated mash, crumbles or pellets
Females over 6 weeks - 16-18% when laying
Males over 6 weeks of females not laying - 14-16% protein

• Never use medicated chicken or duck feed or feed created for other birds
• Cracked corn is not high enough in protein and will harm pond fish
• A/P Lay mash is excellent for adult ducks
• Crumbles and pellets are easy to use and less messy
• Seeds and nuts are a no-no!!!
• ALWAYS PROVIDE FRESH DRINKING WATER WHILE FEEDING

Linz

LionsDen · **Joined:** Thu Sep 20, 2012 7:52 pm **Posts:** 1

At a push can I use puppy biscuits as a stop gap?

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

From a previous thread I understand that cat food is higher in protein than dog food.

Also cat biscuits & cat food are only used as a treat and a supplement to improve the chook's condition.

SunstatePoultry · **Joined:** Wed Sep 26, 2012 11:40 am **Posts:** 3

Hey peoples what age do you first give the kitty bics to the chicks I guess what is too young?

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