If you own chickens, you have probably thought about adding new foods into their diets.
Chickens can eat varieties of food.
Have you ever thought about feeding lettuce to your bird?
Here, we discuss the basics and get your questions answered.
Is lettuce an ideal option for your pet? Let’s find out!
What are the essential things to note?
As a bird owner, it is only natural to want the best for your pet.
This interest is what leads to growth and productivity in your bird.
It also means that there will be increased numbers of eggs.
If you own a chicken, it becomes your responsibility to meet its needs.
These requirements include shelter as well as meeting its nutritional demands.
You may have thought about adding more nutritious foods to your bird’s diet.
You have to be intentional about this. First, you must know the type of foods that your bird can eat.
Then, you must know the right quantities to feed.
Chickens are more than just mere meat that ends up on our plate.
These birds are intelligent and often underestimated.
They deserve the best that you can give them.
Can chickens eat lettuce?
Yes, your bird can have some lettuce.
However, this veggie contains an inadequate amount of proteins.
You may have thought about increasing the nutrients in your bird’s diet.
However, lettuce is not the best choice for this.
It is not nutritious, and the amount of protein present in it is less than 1%.
Your bird will benefit from lettuce more if it’s combined with other foods.
Lettuce does not cause any harm to your bird as it is non-toxic.
It does not satisfy your chicken’s hunger too.
What other foods can you feed your pet?
You can give your chickens leafy vegetables.
These include fresh greens like spinach collards and chickweed.
You can also feed your bird with protein-rich feed as well as layer feed.
Birds need a high quantity of protein in their diet.
They need this for the growth of their feathers.
It is also required for egg formation when your bird is of the right age.
Protein is essential to your bird’s growth and overall productivity.
Commercial feeds usually contain adequate amounts of proteins, minerals, and vitamins.
If you purchase these feeds from reliable stores, they provide these nutrients in the recommended amounts.
The diet of chicken layers should contain at least 14% of the protein.
This amount is just enough to make sure that your bird will continue to lay.
Most layer diets contain about 16%, and this is okay for your chicken’s needs.
Mixed corn is another great option for your bird.
It contains about 80-90% of wheat and corn makes up what is left.
Chickens usually take their time with mixed corn, and they are typically adventurous with it.
When its thrown on the ground, you find birds scratching the floor.
Giving your bird some mixed corn during the afternoon will sustain it till the evening.
Your chicken will have a full crop to show for it.
Mixed corn also has a high-fat content, and this is useful during winter. It will help your chicken keep warm.
However, you have to remember that mixed corn is fatty.
Feeding too much of it to your chicken will cause it to lay down fat.
It will prevent your chicken from making more eggs.
Greens are essential to a bird’s health. They are nutritious and come at a low price.
Give your chicken grass, cabbages, leftovers, weeds, and cauliflowers.
These contain more nutrients in them than lettuce does. They are a better option.
Feed them to your pet every day but in little quantities.
Conclusion
You can also choose to feed your chicken, worm treats.
Some chicken owners feed worms as regular treats to their pets.
However, keep them out of your birds diet. Let your bird come in contact with worms naturally.
Your chicken can eat worms it finds while scratching the floor.
However, please do not buy them or feed them to your bird daily.
Your chicken can be fed with some lettuce.
However, this vegetable will not satisfy your bird’s nutritional needs.
Do you have other pets?
Do you want to know the right thing to feed??
Click here to learn about foods that are healthy for your pet, and here to discover so much more about chickens!
