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| Betty |
Do you change up the scratch grain mix for summer with your chickens? We do. Although chickens absolutely love the cracked corn treat prominent in this mix, the corn portion is more important for winter months than summer as it helps raise their body temperature to keep them cozy on cool days and nights.
In the spring and summer we use the same scratch grain mix, but dilute it with rolled oats and black oil sunflower seeds. The oats help to naturally cool body temperature and the sunflower seeds are just an extra special treat. The sunflower seeds also make their feathers shiny.
Another addition we make to our feed and water routine is to keep electrolytes on hand for summer days where the humidity and/or heat is high. We interrupt our usual addition of 1-2 T. cider vinegar per gallon of water to their drinking water in exchange for electrolytes, when needed, during the heat of summer. The special mix for chickens works in the same manner as sports drinks for people, helping to replenish necessary minerals. You can find a mix at just about every online store that offers products for chickens, as well as many local feed stores and I recently spotted packets at our local Tractor Supply store.
Additional Chicken-Keeping Posts:
When Will My Chickens Start Laying?
Using Diatomaceous Earth For Chicken Health
Supplementing A Chicken's Diet
Chicken Water
Chicken Coop 101: 13 Lessons We Learned Building Our Coop
The Chicken Coop at Cobble Hill Farm
All You Need To Know About Chicken Roosts
All You Need To Know About Nesting Boxes