Ever since introducing grit to their diets (there are two of them), they have gone after the grit like a treat. I can put a small 4"X4"X1" container with them full of grit, and it will be gone in the morning. When I set the container down, it's as if I just threw down a handfull of mealworms...
I don't have any pics handy, but I just bought four ducklings last wed. I started the ducklings in a large tote that I start all my chicks in. Yesterday, I moved them into a 10x6 larger brooder. I'm thinking this will last 4 weeks. They had outgrown the tote in less than a week.
Here's how I...
Hi All,
I'm planning on purchasing two broad breasted bronze chicks from our coop this Wed. They are all straight run. I would prefer to have toms so trying to increase my odds by being able to know what the identifiable traits the males have.
Can anyone offer pointers on how to increase my...
After researching various breeds, I decided the the Delaware was it. Egg production is described as very good. It was for up to around 18 months. I was getting 7 to 9 eggs a day from 9 hens. After 18 months, I am lucky to get 5. Most of the days it's 3 or 4. If you want longer standing egg...
My Chickens are 1 year, 5 months old. I've never heard of chickens molting in summer, but it seems that way. I have 9 hens and 1 rooster. 4 of the hens have lost a bit of their pin feathers around their chest or on their back. The rooster could have something to do with the loss of feathers on...
I'm going to try raising 30 FR's this spring. I'm planning on free ranging in the pasture during the day. With that said, I'm thinking I'll use a few bails of hay as housing. I'll place a piece of plywood over the top and at the front. At the end of the of the process, I should be able to...
Very nice! I plan on renting a plucker for about 10 birds and parting out another 20. I thought the feathers would come off with the skin (kind of like a jacket). Thanks for the confirmation!
Since I plan on parting out each bird, do I need to worry about de-feathering? Seems like I can remove the skin like I would a goose to get to the breasts, thighs, etc.
I have the large PVC version of this and it requires cleaning. About once a week I take the top off and scrub it. How do you clean the "L" shaped version you have above?
At 12 weeks, you don't need "chick grit." Chick grit is just smaller pieces of granite. They can use poultry grit (larger pieces of granite). Prior to 8 weeks, I poured a 3lb bag of chick grit around the coop. They eat it up quick (my hens are all free range with a gravel driveway to boot). I do...
I pay around 20 a month from May through Sept. I have two horse, two dogs, and ten chickens. Neighbors pests migrate. With that said, I have almost no problem with flies after FP. Before, it was a disaster.
You might try adding chick grit even if the food doesn't require it. It could help in better utilizing the nutrition in the food. In theory, they could be eating enough but not getting the nutrition out of the food
It really depends on the feed:
"
Do backyard chickens need grit?
A. Yes!
Grit (small rocks) aids in the grinding of whole grain or other coarse feed in the gizzard. Experiments have shown that grit should be supplied to laying hens, and that it is best to furnish hard grit in addition to...