Arizona Chickens

[CheerfulHeart2]

Quote:

and welcome to AZ thread!

 

[dofnup]

Speaking of feed ... I have mine on Purina Start & Grow ... can I just keep them on that until they start laying, then switch them to Layena? or do I have to switch them to Layena before they start laying?? When I asked the dude at the feed store he said to switch them before, but when is too soon?

 

[ArizonaNessa]

I use Purina start and grow til 8 weeks then switch to purina flockraiser til I start getting eggs. Then I put them on Purina Layena. I don't give treats til 8 weeks either unless its white bread or something soft.

Edit: I also start mixing in calf-manna at 8 weeks. I grind it up though since I never feed pellets.

You don't have to switch. You can keep them on the start and grow til laying but I prefer to use the flock raiser in between.

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

Nessa -
A few questions:
1) Why do you prefer flock raiser after 8 weeks instead of staying on Start & Grow?
2) Why add the calf manna? Aren't the feeds good in protein already?
3) Why never pellets?
Just curious.

 

[Menmyrc]

Quote:

I started mine on Kruse's Chick Starter Mash (with amprolium). At 9 weeks, I switched to Purina Flock Raiser because it has a higher protein content than the others and more than half of mine will be going to the freezer. I just wanted to better my chances at putting on some meat before then. My plan is to not use a layer-type feed, and supplement oyster shell instead since I will have a few roos and they shouldn't need the additional calcium that layer feed has.

 

[chickchalet]

Quote:

I started mine on Kruse's Chick Starter Mash (with amprolium). At 9 weeks, I switched to Purina Flock Raiser because it has a higher protein content than the others and more than half of mine will be going to the freezer. I just wanted to better my chances at putting on some meat before then. My plan is to not use a layer-type feed, and supplement oyster shell instead since I will have a few roos and they shouldn't need the additional calcium that layer feed has.

I thought there would be an easy answer to my question on types of feed...keep the suggestions coming as everyones reason are very informative

 

[gckiddhouse]

Laree - Beaker is a perfect name!! That chick is so stinkin' cute!

Mahonri - nice to see you today. The new pullet is so sweet. DD carried her around and gave her treats in arms before putting her in the brooder cage next to the coop. The WA rooster is very excitedly dancing back and forth for her. Hope you love that new roo. We will miss him.

Welcome new folks.

I live in a semi rural area and have coyotes, bobcats (both of whom have taken chickens from us), hawks, snakes, mice, rats, roaches, crickets. A fortress type coop is recommended.

I feed an organic feed that I get from Azure Standard. Have used Kruse organic, but it is usually rancid. Have used flock raiser and liked it. I only use scratch when it is going to freeze at night as it warms the birds a little. I never use it when the weather is warm. Lots of fruit treats and free ranging.

I always keep the youngsters on a grower crumble until they lay. Mine will eat the pellets pretty well.

I don't supplement calcium at all and I believe that here in AZ, you shouldn't have to with the hardness of the water. Tommboy, if you are on a well, your water is even harder than the city water and will make shells of steel. You practically need a hammer to get into ours. Calcium is just not a problem here.

I have a pic of the dove and babies I will post later. Right now it is off to piano lessons...

 

[cluckin_crazy]

I don't use feed anymore. I'm not a purist by any means, I just wanted my girls to have a more natural diet so I mix their feed using:

2 parts whole wheat
1 part rolled oats
1 part black oil sunflower seeds
1 part cracked corn
1 part catfish pellets

I know the catfish pellets aren't natural or whole grain, but I'm working on finding a high protein alternative. Pound for pound, this is actually cheaper than processed chicken feed. Not by more than 10 bucks, but at least I feel good about it. I actually took some pics today of my eggs compared to my friend's eggs. Mine get about 5 hours of free range grass-eating time and hers free range on 3 acres all day long.

 

[gckiddhouse]

Cluckin, I recently started mixing in a corn free, soy free feed I found through Azure. It smells like fish, so I know there is fish in there, but also has a lot of peas. I think they are pretty high in protien. Have you looked at that? I am very interested in this idea of mixing the feed. I hate that most has soy in it.

 

[Mahonri]

GC... good to see you and the kids too. That pullet is so gentle and loves pieces of soft white bread. As red as her comb and wattles are I imagine she'll be laying soon. She turns 19 weeks on Friday and I started to mix in Layena in her Flock raiser this week.
That roo is as BIG as his daddy and he's still got growing to do!
I'm really hoping I'll get some LARGE BLUE WHEATENS out of this last hatch. I've already counted 8 roos out of the 37 chicks. I may have wheaten pullets for sale....

Got to see AZDC's husband at the Stock Shop.... giving away 4 roos and some frizzles.

Those wheatens and blue wheatens looked so familiar!!!

Also met another BYCer at the Feed Barn who is having problems with her chickens doing orange poopies.

Nice lady at the Feed Barn showed me her Bev Davis Marans that she got for $10 a chick. She had some beautiful FBCMs and some cuckoo, white, blue and wheaten Marans.

Wish I had room for the Phoenix banty roo she has there. He's not spectacular, I just feel sorry for him in that little cage.