Arizona Chickens

[azurbanclucker]

I feed in the morning and then throw a couple extra handfull out in the afternoons as a snack. If we go out of town, I use bulk feeders/waterers to cover them while we're gone.

 

[meetthebubus]

Feed from sunrise to sunset, too many wild creatures to leave out I let nature determine their sleep schedule so they don't need food in the dark

 

[cactusrota]

For mine, the only feeder that's full 24/7 is the hanging galvanized one that rodents can't get to. All the feeders on the ground are filled just enough to be empty by the time the birdies go to roost at night so as to dissuade the crawly things. Ofcourse the amount of feed they go through can change day by day ... so a little less than a days worth and then treats before bed works well. They also get moistened alfalfa when there's no rains to provide fresh green weeds, some table scraps (I have two bowls in the kitchen: one for coffee grinds and other compost things I don't want the birds to have, and another for bird scraps), old stale cereal and crackers, etc..

 

[cactusrota]

I would like to know if you folks leave feed available 24/7, or just feed in the mornings and late afternoon? I'm still in the planning stages and like the idea of those tube feeders made from PVC pipes
View attachment 1170730 --BB

I've been looking at those pvc feeders for a while now, debating on whether I want to make some. If you get the caps you can easily cap them at night to keep from feeding the rodents or to ration access to your birds....

 

[Parront]

For mine, the only feeder that's full 24/7 is the hanging galvanized one that rodents can't get to. All the feeders on the ground are filled just enough to be empty by the time the birdies go to roost at night so as to dissuade the crawly things. Ofcourse the amount of feed they go through can change day by day ... so a little less than a days worth and then treats before bed works well. They also get moistened alfalfa when there's no rains to provide fresh green weeds, some table scraps (I have two bowls in the kitchen: one for coffee grinds and other compost things I don't want the birds to have, and another for bird scraps), old stale cereal and crackers, etc..

I used to use a big hanging feeder on a chain. It held enough for about a week, and mice did not get it. You have to keep it high enough, or the birds will bill out the feed and waste it.

 

[Ianthomps]

Hello, and welcome to BYC! I see that you are new here. I am a Non-hatchery breeder of the standard sized Australorps in the Black, Blue, and Splash colors. How many chicks are you looking for?

Hi wow this is really cool. I am looking for 3 chicks in the next month, to start and go from there. Thank you . Look for forward to hear from you , my email is [email protected] , feel free to email me if it is more convient .

 

[DesertChic]

I give my mature chickens wet or fermented feed on a pretty regular schedule. First thing in the morning they get feed, and just before the sun sets I go out to check the feed dishes and the sizes of their crops to determine if they need more feed or not (aka "second feeding"). I frequently add any or all of the following to their feed: probiotics, hot pepper flakes, cinnamon, any variety of fresh or dried herbs. Once every 1-2 weeks their second feeding is comprised of scratch plus extra black oil sunflower seeds, which they LOVE.

My birds also get the leftover pulp from the fresh veggie/fruit juices I made every couple days, which may normally count as a treat but which I consider more of a fiber and vitamin boost since pasture is hard to grow and maintain here in the desert. This year I've also started growing pasture areas for them to indulge in as the plants allow. They can decimate the pasture in about 3 hours and it takes a full week or two for it to restore itself.

With chicks and "teenage" birds, I feed 24/7 to promote growth and hardiness. That way even the chicks that are lowest in the pecking order will always find food available to them as the more dominant birds finish, but I've found that providing feed 24/7 for adults simply results in obesity and diminished hardiness. I start all of my chicks out on gamebird feed that's very high in protein for the first two weeks.

I'm also a huge fan of supplements in their water. During periods of high stress especially, such as excessive heat, a shift in seasons or a heavy molt, I rotate the use of garlic in the water with fresh water, and then apple cider vinegar (ACV) once per week. If I begin to detect an increase in sneezing or anything else that seems out of norm, I add a few drops of oregano oil to their water for a day or two, and during heavy molt I add a vitamin supplement to the water.

 

[Bobby Basham]

I leave it available all day. Fermented goes in a bowl first thing in the morning and there's always dry in the coop in case of a storm, etc.

Treats are often a mixture of greens, sometimes fruit or other vegetables, or animal protein of some sort. I substitute a whole grain FEED for scratch, usually scratch & peck or a pigeon feed. So when my chickens think they're getting snacks, well they're healthy snacks and treats anyway.

I've given my flock cooked jasmine rice twice, a stale piece of homemade bread a couple of times, but I don't clean out the fridge and let 'em have at it. If it can't go in the compost pile, it goes in the trash.

I would like to do their regular feed, then do some fermented feed, add in a little rice, pasta, meal worms and ground meat, add in a little scratch grains and also do some grow feeder beds to add some greens. I want them to experiment a little bit of everything I can provide.

Do any of you have these? I think it would be a great addition. --BB

 

[DesertChic]

I would like to do their regular feed, then do some fermented feed, add in a little rice, pasta, meal worms and ground meat, and also do some grow feeder beds to add some greens. I want them to experiment a little bit of everything I can provide.

Do any of you have these? I think it would be a great addition. --BB
View attachment 1171065

I've seriously considered making some of those but just haven't had the time.

 

[igorsMistress]

I would like to do their regular feed, then do some fermented feed, add in a little rice, pasta, meal worms and ground meat, and also do some grow feeder beds to add some greens. I want them to experiment a little bit of everything I can provide.

Do any of you have these? I think it would be a great addition. --BB
View attachment 1171065

I have a place to put those in the chicken yard Bobby. They're on my list to get done while the weather is still cool. But I also let the birds free range in my yard all day.
My birds LOVE mustard greens and dill.