As the heat of summertime get in , many husbandman seek ways to keep their birds cool and happy during these oppressive month . water bird are often more fussy than chickens , and though they ’ll nibble at most anything , they do n’t always eat everything . Geese in particular will flat - out spurn one affair but bolt down the next .
Most poultry treat can be shared around a mixed flock , but some offerings are appreciate more by one coinage than the next . Here are a few of our barnyard ’s preferent summertime snacks . Kirsten Lie - Nielsen
1. Mealworms
Dried mealworm are packed full of proteins , and they are a great treat for any raspberry . I fee them throughout summer and winter , because in the wintertime they give a gracious energy rise . Geese , who are largely vegetarian , will most often reach on the crunchy treat , but nearly any other variety of fowl will go wild for them . you could even sprinkle some in body of water and send you duck dive for the treats .
2. Watermelon
watermelon are some of the best treats to give fowl during the summer . Because they ’re so full of body of water , they help foreclose drying up — and everyone enjoy pecking away at a few gash of watermelon on a hot summer day . Geese are peculiarly fond of watermelon , and they love wear away the yield down to the leather exterior . you’re able to bet that anything piddle - related will be a hit in a jackass ’s rule book , and watermelons are no exclusion .
3. Lettuce Greens
Like watermelon , any leafy putting green also has some moisture that help prevent dehydration . If your birds liberal reach they might not be as excited about a William Green offering , but poultry observe in a run will enthral in the treat . you could flow a whole psyche of lettuce in the run and determine the birds pick at it all daytime , or just sprinkle greens from your garden around for the birds to enjoy . Beet William Green , peas and broccoli leaf are all suitable . deflect nightshade plant greens , though : Do not bid tomato , potatoes or eggplant . Also avoid spinach because it contains oxalic acid , which exhaust Ca in bird off-white .
4. Bread
broadly speaking speaking , you are discouraged from feeding pelf to your domestic fowl . But I do n’t mind course a few crusts to my birds in moderation , and they love the stuff . It is the sodding consistency for them to mash up in their nib , and there is never a crumb left . The cause to avoid bread ? Well , it ’s kind of like a Big Mac for wench . It is full of fats and provides very footling in the way of proteins or vitamins . But a little bit of “ junk food ” on occasion will not harm your birds , and they ’ll enjoy the treat .
5. Dandelions
Dandelionsare among the most unco goodly herbs you could grow , and they usually grow just like grass in your front lawn . If you want to clean up your lawn or you just want to give your hoot a special treat , dandelion greens and flowers are dearie . In fact , my pastureland are nearly free of dandelion because geese chop-chop devour every blossom that comes up is quickly devoured by the geese , who regard them a delicacy . Kirsten Lie - Nielsen
Another summertime heat - beating trick is to leave plenty of water for your birds . This does n’t mean only clean-living , fresh H2O in their coop . In increase , exit a few station with water boy in suspect berth around the run or your yard . Birds revalue the opportunity to take a sip as they make their manner from one spot to another .
A few treats in the run keep your poultry glad and healthy , and they also ply amusement during the raging summertime months . It takes very little effort to enthrall your birds with some tasty goody , and they will appreciate the motion .
Kirsten Lie-Nielsen
Kirsten Lie-Nielsen
