It happens sometimes when the main feed you serve the chickens has been exhausted.
If you raise guinea pigs alongside the chickens in the yard, you might be wondering if you can serve the guinea pig food for the chickens.
Read on to discover if it is good to serve guinea pig food for the chickens as a treat or not.
You will also learn some of the healthy treats you can serve the chickens when the main feed you serve the chooks is no more.
Can chickens eat guinea pig food? Chickens can eat guinea pig food. You can serve guinea pig feed for the chickens as a treat. Guinea pig feed should be served in moderation for chickens.
Is guinea pig food safe for the chickens?
This is the first question which should always come to your mind whenever you discover a new treat for the chickens or any other pets you have within the home.
In the case of what we are discussing here, guinea pig feed is safe for the chickens.
You can serve guinea pig feed for the chickens if you have nothing else to feed the chooks and they will remain fine.
A situation may occur in which the medicated feed you serve the chicken might be exhausted.
You can’t leave the chicken to go hungry for a long time before you get the feed for them. You have to feed them something healthy within reach.
So if guinea pig food is what you have around, you can go ahead and serve it in moderation for the chickens.
I did a little research about this, I discovered that other chicken owners serve guinea pig feed for the chickens.
In fact, one of the members of the backyard chicken forum stated that he usually serves guinea pig feed for the chickens as a treat and they did not show any sign of sickness.
How much guinea pig food can chickens eat?
Now you know that you can serve guinea pig food for the chickens, does that mean we can serve any amount of guinea pig food for the chickens? The short answer is no.
You need to observe the reaction of your chickens towards the guinea pig food. You can do this by serving a little amount of guinea pig food for the chickens. Then you watch for how they react towards the feed.
The best thing is to serve guinea pig food for the chickens in moderation. you said that the amounts that will not satisfy them if they decide to finish everything.
How can I introduce guinea pig food to the chickens?
Introducing guinea pig to the chickens should not be complicated.
You can serve guinea pig food for the chickens directly. The chickens are going to finish everything you serve if they find guinea pig feed palatable.
If it happens that the chickens do not show interest towards the guinea pig feed you serve, you can mix it with other similar treats for them. They might accept it that way.
Can I serve guinea pig food for the chickens everyday?
It can be very tempting to serve a particular feed for the chickens if it happens that you have them in abundance or at home.
It is not advisable to embark on serving guinea pig food for the chickens everyday. Some guinea pig food lacks the essential nutrients needed by the chickens.
You should only serve guinea pig as a treat for the chickens or when you have nothing else to serve them.
Can guinea pig food make chickens poop?
Consistent poop which gives out foul smell is one of the problems faced by the chickens when they consume something that does not go down well with the body systems.
The same may be the case with guinea pig food you serve the chickens. So it is good to start slowly whenever you want to introduce a guinea pig feed for the chickens.
The effect will not be much if their bodies do not react well to the treat you serve the chooks.
Can chicks eat guinea pig food?
Guinea pig food should not be served for the chicks until they are 12 weeks old and above.
You need to serve them feed that contains a high amount of protein at their early stage. This will help them to grow fast and develop feathers all over their bodies.
Other treats you can serve the pet chickens
The following are some of the traits you can serve the chickens as a treat instead of giving them guinea pig food.
Cabbage
Cabbage is one of the vegetables you can serve the chickens as a treat. You can choose to serve cabbage together with other vegetables for the chickens.
You can hang the cabbage in the middle of the coop so that the chickens will fly to have some pecks on the veggies.
Corn
Corn is one of the favorite treats for the chickens. Chickens are capable of eating fresh and dried corn.
Chickens can also eat corn on the cobs. So if you are just getting the corn from the farm or garden you can solve them directly for the chickens as a treat.
Peanuts
Chickens can also have peanuts as a treat if you have them at home. You can have the fresh peanuts for the chickens as well as the cooked ones. Peanuts are a good source of protein for the chickens.
Carrots
Carrots are one of the fruits you can start the chickens with as a treat. Chickens like to munch on carrots period carrots are a good source of vitamin A for the chickens.
Try to slice the carrot into pieces before you serve them for the chickens. Carrots also provide the chicken with vitamins as well.
Bread
Chickens like bread. If you have some bread at home, you can slice the bread into different cubes and serve the chickens as a treat. Bread can also be a source of carbs for the chickens.
Mango
You can also serve mango as a treat for the chickens. Mangoes provide the chickens with vitamins and minerals. Take off the skin and slice the mango fruit into pieces for the chickens.
Conclusion
Chickens can eat guinea pig food. You can use guinea pig food as a replacement until you get the medicated feed you serve the chickens.
You should wait until the chicks are 12 weeks and above before you serve them guinea pig feed. Guinea pig food should be served in moderation for the chickens.
Reference
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/can-guineas-eat-the-same-food-as-chickens.650741/
