Australorps breed Thread

[justdishy]

I give them the scratch just before bedtime. They've been eating layer crumble or foraging all day. Do you not give scratch at all?

 

[Birdrain92]

I give them the scratch just before bedtime. They've been eating layer crumble or foraging all day. Do you not give scratch at all?

I don't. My pens have pebbles in them that they will eat instead. My hens always get laying hen feed with cracked corn. When they are molting or if the shells are showing that they need some extra calcium then I give oyster shells. I buy a 50lb bag of laying hen feed every 2 weeks. I mix the 50lb bag with 25 lbs. of cracked corn. Then I give them 3 pans. Not sure how much is in each pan.

 

[appps]

I give them the scratch just before bedtime. They've been eating layer crumble or foraging all day. Do you not give scratch at all?

I do, but I do it in the morning when I first let them out, I throw two handfuls to eight chooks.

 

[Clinton 78]

My australorps out enjoying the sunshine on this cold day!

 

[justdishy]

I do, but I do it in the morning when I first let them out, I throw two handfuls to eight chooks.

Well, scratch has been my major rounder-upper. When they hear it rattling in the plastic cup they absolutely stampede to get in the run. Will cut down my rations and see if that changes the oyster shell addiction.

 

[Seatrout00]

My last lot of oyster shell went off which sounds ridiculous. I kept it in the plastic bag in their feed bin and it grew black mold. I haven't thrown it yet just because the bin was full. Can't imagine what would be in oyster shell to grow mold? It was damp when I bought it but I thought maybe it always comes like that?

Doesn't have to be anything IN the oyster shell - its wet so it will grow mold when you put it in a location where air and sunlight can't get to it. Water on object or substrate minus light and airflow equals mold.

 

[Greg88]

Doesn't have to be anything IN the oyster shell - its wet so it will grow mold when you put it in a location where air and sunlight can't get to it. Water on object or substrate minus light and airflow equals mold.

This, it is about moisture and darkness. If your shell is wet when you get it, spread it out in the sun to dry and then store it. Perhaps a bin, not in a bag to be safe?

 

[appps]

Wel thats all just pretty annoying though. If I buy a 5kg bag of shell grit I shouldn't have to waste my time spreading and drying and repackaging the darn stuff. Why do they pack it up wet in the first place ugh. These were bags the feed store had packaged from a larger bag. Might buy it somewhere else next time I think. I'm not game to use this one now.

 

[Greg88]

Wel thats all just pretty annoying though. If I buy a 5kg bag of shell grit I shouldn't have to waste my time spreading and drying and repackaging the darn stuff. Why do they pack it up wet in the first place ugh. These were bags the feed store had packaged from a larger bag. Might buy it somewhere else next time I think. I'm not game to use this one now.

I can't say why it was wet. makes no sence. Perhaps big bulk was outside in wet weather when they packaged in smaller packs?
Can't think of any other reason it would be wet. if it is actual oyster shell, i would not expect it to be so fresh that it is wet from shucking, etc,,,,

 

[Seatrout00]

I would expect it got rained or snowed on and never dried out. Feed lots and warehouses aren't always air tight. When I get pine bark and or cypress chips, they are generally wet. You can also spread it out in your house if your heat or AC are on, thus drying it.