Recent content by magicdave

  1. magicdave

    Feeding with mealworms as the only protein source

    Too muxh reliance on the "Science" offered by the Big Ag feed companies in the bysiness of selling "You" feed and not enough common sense. Chickens are primarily Carnivorous. Free Rangers like mine hardly ever eat commercial layer feed except in the winter when there aren't any "bugs" to eat...
  2. magicdave

    Which Chicken Breeds Sell Best?

    I raise Light Sussex chickens. They are very friendly, calm hens that will "talk" to you all day long. They are a breed that isn't exactly rare but not really common. I got my flock for free because a hen hatched out 9 chicks and the woman didn't want a bigger flock. As long as you don't...
  3. magicdave

    How large does run need to be to keep the hens from destroying the grass?

    I live in farming country. I just let my chickens forage where they choose. The hay farmer that surrounds my tiny plot doesn't care so they have several hundred acres to forage. The area where I spread their scratch grain is pretty much grass free but that brown spot grows in very fast as I...
  4. magicdave

    How the heck do I get rid of fire ants inside the chicken run?? 😱😱😱

    You can try spraying the ground all around the chickren run with "Orange Oil" (Limonene). It is not toxic to chickens and will drive off the FireAnts and any that gets Limonene on them will die from dehydration. It is a powerful solvent made from citrus peel. It is not inexpensive but won't...
  5. magicdave

    How the heck do I get rid of fire ants inside the chicken run?? 😱😱😱

  6. magicdave

    How do you get rid of unwanted male chicks

    I know it is tough to cull unwanted Cockerels but they sure do taste good. I keep 1 rooster per 10 hens. I have 30 hens. The roosters are "too tired" to crow at 4 AM. My situation has been that every time ai made arrangement give away my gorgeous "Light Sussex Boys" they don't show up. So i...
  7. magicdave

    white bread for chicken

    I feed lots of burds in my "yard." When I say Lots of birds it means Sparrows, Chickdees, Wrens, Jays, Cardinals, Crows, and every other bird that happens to drop in for a snack including a pair of Ravens. I have put out stale bread for my "family" of birds. They will only eat the bread if...
  8. magicdave

    Best breeds for broody hens?

    Whenever one of my hens gets broody i give her 4-5 fertile duck eggs to sit on. My Light Sussex hens are dedicated hatchers but are totally baffled by ducklings so I introduce them to one of my more "motherly" ducks as soon as they are imprinted on me. My broody hens are really dependable...
  9. magicdave

    Official BYC Poll: Do You Clip Your Chickens' Wings?

    My chickens are extremely well socialized and totally free range. They need their wings to function if escaping a predator is necessary. I don't use enclosures with my adult birds. As chicks my birds are thoroughly imprinted with my appearance, scent, and the sound of my voice. When I call...
  10. magicdave

    Help! My wife is mad at me for feeding the chickens pizza!

    Pizza is mostly bread(bad for chickens)cheese(bad for chickens)tomato sauce(too much salt). In my opinion as a poultry breeder that pizza is not a healthy "snack" for chickens. I suppose it won't do much harm once in a while. What cracks me up is that most people treat chickens as if they are...
  11. magicdave

    Can a racoon open a barn door latch?

    Yes. Secure Latches Are A Must. Yes they will figure it out. They are very smart and very strong. I keep them out with very strong latches that are an effort for me to open. I do not trap raccoons. I shoot them. They aren't in any way endangered so killing them eliminates the threat. I...
  12. magicdave

    Wild Wyandottes! What should I do?

    Catch them. I use dried mealworms to catch my "wilder girls." Chickens connot resist dried mealworms. They are really beautiful healthy looking girls. I would bet that feeding them a 17%-18% ration of soy free/ corn free layer mix would give you eggs. My Wyandottes layed well for over 6...
  13. magicdave

    Layer pellets & scratch?? Less eggs or more?

    My "girls" are totally free range. I have never given them "scratch grains." They get layer feed that is both Soy & Corn free. I do give them dried mealworms for "animal protein and fat." Chickens are not vegetarians. They are primarily Carnivores. My "girls" lay eggs year round because...
  14. magicdave

    Layer pellets & scratch?? Less eggs or more?

    My "girls" are totally free range. I have never given them "scratch grains." They get layer feed that is both Soy & Corn free. I do give them dried mealworms for "animal protein and fat." Chickens are not vegetarians. They are primarily Carnivores. My "girls" lay eggs year round because...
  15. magicdave

    The Duck Thread

    I forgot to mention 2nd Edition. I just got abrand new copy for $3.99 on Amazon. My old copy was 1st edition. The new version has more "stuff" in it.
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