Battling Extreme Desert Heat

[magdelaine]

@magdelaine Thank you for taking the time to provide such great expert advice! So fermented feed? I just googled it. Makes so much sense! Turkey grower or game bird is OK for my young layers? (20 weeks)?

Yes, you want to feed something other than layer feed to birds that aren't laying yet because of the calcium in lay feed. It's bad for kidneys if they aren't laying. I feed it to all my chickens because I hatch out a lot and a higher protein feed = higher quality eggs. I just throw oyster shell into the run for their shells, as that's the only thing the turkey grower feed is missing. And yes on wild bird seed! I don't use a lot but they go crazy for it.

@IceAngel I'll try a shallow pool outside. I had one inside, but they pooped in it. I was worried about bacteria and disease.

On another group a veteran breeder told me that he doesn't worry about waterers, etc. "As long as it's not bubbling, it's fine for them". He must be right because I've had no trouble. I replace the water in the pool every 5 days or so...and it's reallllly smelly. But so far no sick chickens. AND, the probiotics in the fermented feed give them some protection too. I have wanted to ask about adding chlorine for this purpose, but I decided after watching them that it's probably unnecessary.

 

[Mutt Farm]

Yes, you want to feed something other than layer feed to birds that aren't laying yet because of the calcium in lay feed. It's bad for kidneys if they aren't laying. I feed it to all my chickens because I hatch out a lot and a higher protein feed = higher quality eggs. I just throw oyster shell into the run for their shells, as that's the only thing the turkey grower feed is missing. And yes on wild bird seed! I don't use a lot but they go crazy for it.

Understand. One more question please? Do I add the wild bird seed to the fermenting feed or throw it separate? I've not started lay mash yet, un-med gro feed. Oyster shell in a dish. You have been so helpful!

 

[magdelaine]

Yes, you want to feed something other than layer feed to birds that aren't laying yet because of the calcium in lay feed. It's bad for kidneys if they aren't laying. I feed it to all my chickens because I hatch out a lot and a higher protein feed = higher quality eggs. I just throw oyster shell into the run for their shells, as that's the only thing the turkey grower feed is missing. And yes on wild bird seed! I don't use a lot but they go crazy for it.

Understand. One more question please? Do I add the wild bird seed to the fermenting feed or throw it separate? I've not started lay mash yet, un-med gro feed. Oyster shell in a dish. You have been so helpful!

You are very welcome! It's amazing to me how much I've learned since getting chickens for the second time last September, they are my new obsession. I'm happy to pass it all on.

I like to add birdseed in, but I find it irritating how a couple of birds will scratch through the feed to find EVERY seed, throwing the fermented stuff everywhere, lol. That food does get eaten by the chicks lower on the totem pole, so I can't complain too much, but if there is one reason I would stop adding it directly to the other feed for fermenting, it would be that.

Also, your grow feed might be fine for fermenting too. Crumble or mash works fine. You just want to have anywhere from 20% to 26% protein. It sounds like a lot compared to layer feed, but it will help them keep their feathers healthy and it reduces the stress of laying. Plus if you add in bird seed that reduces the overall protein content of your feed since it's relatively low in protein.

 

[Mutt Farm]

Fantastic advice! I've been boiling some garden squash for them as I have time and they get my split tomatoes . Freeze dried meal worms for treats to tame them. My garden is burnt toast, done for the year (thanks water restrictions) so this new diet is just in time! I'm completely obsessed, but need to make this hobby less of a burden. I want to do right by them. Your experience raising chickens in our climate is invaluable to me! Wishing you gobs of huge eggs and healthy chickens!

 

[k5crew]

What fantastic advice! I'll be running with a few of these ideas myself.

 

[Mutt Farm]

What fantastic advice! I'll be running with a few of these ideas myself.

Howdy! Where is Kingsland? I'm moving to TX within a couple years. Tell me more?

 

[k5crew]

Kingsland is central, about an hour west of Austin. I'm in the true Hill Country! Why are you heading to Texas, and what part?

 

[Percheron chick]

A small kitty litter pan works great for a chicken wading pool. Don't bother cooking the veggies. They like them just as much raw and why turn the stove and heat up the house? Throw the tomatoes in the freezer. Add all your kitchen scraps and feed them frozen blocks for a late afternoon snack. You can even freeze the fermented feed. If you home brew, spent grains freeze well.

 

[pinkmartin73]

We have humid heat here, but a lot of the same things work. I use frozen water bottles inside the 4 gal. Waterer. Also I freeze 2 ltr pop bottles full of water. Keep them around the coop. Chickens lay against them. My girls and guy love the grass clippings from the mower bag. The eat them and wallow in them. Half our run has a tarp for shade. I may add a kiddy pool. Great idea! I already feed fermented all flock. Might try mixing in game bird or show bird feed for the extra protein.

 

[pinkmartin73]

Really hot today. My girls were looking miserable. I couldn't find a suitable container for a kiddie pool. So i dug a hole in the run. (Approx 3x4ft) lined it with an extra shower liner. Put sone branches and rocks around the edges. Added a couple buckets of water and a frozen water bottle. Also a concrete block in the center. Its a hillbilly swimming pool!

In case you decide to try it, here is what I learned...
Make sure you hide all the edges. Chickens are dumb and they believe everything is edible. They started eating the edges of the liner.
They do not understand the concept of a pool. They will look at you like you've lost your mind. After a couple hours I sat one of the girls at the edge and splashed water on her feet. Then slowly put her in the water. The flew outta there in a hurry. In the process she punctured the liner with her toenail. So use something really heavy duty.

I figure if I can keep some water in it whatever breeze they get will cross cold water and cool the air. Better than nothing.

Also if they don't start laying better or they die in the heat since they won't use their new pool I already have a mass grave partially dug. just trying to see the glass half full.