Excellent article. I have had chickens for years and I love the reminders. It is easy to forget how horrid Winter is and how easy it is to get molds and other viruses in our flocks. It is supposed to snow here in 5 days (Alberta) after an amazing Summer and it is easy to forget that we need to be prepared ahead of the weather.
It was crazy for me, a first time chicken owner, when the days started getting shorter and the leaves started falling, how much my chickens changed. They started to look so dull and sickly. I had no idea about molting. Thank you!
Why 90% commercial feed? Isn’t it better if they forage primarily, eat our kitchen scraps (including meat and cheese) and fill up with feed if they’re lacking? I’m inclined to let them trust their instincts.
Why moderation of mealworms? I usually give dried mealworms ( 1.5c for 4 hens) to my chickens everyday along with the regular organic layer feed. I hope I'm not doing something wrong by overfeeding mealworms.
