Flock Blocks for Chickens
When I went to the feed store to buy some more chicken food, chicken scratch and shavings – I spotted a Flock Block on the shelf and picked one up for our chickens. Priced between $10 and $15 I guess they are great for bird’s that free-range a lot (like ours).
Flock Block (Purina) details:
- For free-ranging poultry and game birds
- Encourages natural pecking instincts to help reduce cannibalism
- Contains oyster shell and grit
- Available in a 25# block
Flock Block ingredients:
All flock blocks have different ingredients, but these are the PRIMARY ingredients in the Purina variety: Cracked Corn, Whole Wheat, Whole Milo, Whole Barley, Whole Sunflower Seed, Molasses, Oyster Shell, Calcium Lignin Sulfonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Granite Grit, Salt (get full ingredient list here)
Our chickens LOVED it! They “flocked” to it and it was like a table that they were all sitting around, pecking. But these things come with very few instructions, so I wanted to ask all you chicken experts:
- Can we put it in the coop and leave it there? The instructions say for free-ranging chickens, but what about when we put them back in the coop?
- Is it bad to let them eat the whole thing or should we limit it? We put it in the coop and they are pecking at it 24/7.
- Have you made your own flock block? I’d love recipes or ideas for homemade flock blocks. At $14.99 – they can get pretty spendy considering how little food it is.
Leave your thoughts or comments here!
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Patrice says
I would be concerned about unwanted critters coming into your yard. We have racoons, possum, squirrels and rats. Our friends even have skunks. Speaking of that, how do you keep your hens safe? Possum and skunks love eggs…
Heather says
Patrice –
They aren’t free range all day- we have a sturdy coop, with wire that goes 18 inches down into the dirt to keep creatures from digging into coop. I let them out during the day while I’m home and they go into the coop when we leave or at night. They lay their eggs inside the hen house. I’m worried about predators, too. http://queenbeetoday.com/operation-chicken-coop-its-complete-five-happy-chickens-our-first-egg/
Patrice says
That sounds good! I have a story to tell you someday about the time a skunk raided our hen house and what my dad about it… I’m guessing your dad would have had a similar response. :0)
colleen says
There are a bunch of recipes for Flock Block substitutes on Pinterest. I am going to make one for our girls too!
Heather says
Ooooh, I’ll have to check that out!
Belinda says
I have had chickens for years. I found a lady who made her own flock blocks. It worked great. I just can’t let them stay out because I get afraid of attracting mice/rats. If they have a constant food source they will come. My chickens won’t eat once the sun goes down or the light goes out. The website I found them on is http://www.the-chicken-chick.com. She is also on Pinterest. Hope this helps.
nwgardener says
I love Flock Blocks.! I have purchased them many times over the years for my girls. My chickens are confined 90% of the time due to predators and the Flock Block is always a welcome treat. It is fine to put it in the chicken run area or in the coop if you like. They will peck at it, but also eat their regular food. I have never put one out in the open, but keep it under cover in the run area. It stays dry there and critters I don’t want to eat it can’t get to it as easily. If you put it out in the yard area I would advise trying to keep it out of the rain. Getting rained on might cause it to come apart. You might also find all the little birds in your neighborhood eating it as well.