Beginner with Chickens

[Godsgrl]

I have a backyard flock of 5 chickens, all RIR, I think. I rescued them from being shot. There is one hen, big Momma, and 5 chicks. Wilbur is definitely a rooster, and the other hens are Mabel, Thing One and Thing Two.

I noticed some of you feed your chickens DE, and I was wondering why. I use it as a pest control-had no idea you could feed it to an animal!

Big Momma is currently laying most every day for us. We're looking forward to when the other hens begin laying, but they are too young now. I've had them for about 6 weeks now.

Thanks for any replies, and I'm looking forward to learning a lot from all of you!
Cheri

 

[joebwe25]

Welcome to the forum!

I always learn something new everyday!
I don't have a clue about DE.
Hope your other hens start laying soon.
See ya in the forum,
Joe

 

[jkcove08]

DE is fed to animals to help control the worms. It works on the inside just like it would work on the outside for pests. You have to have food grade DE to feed it to them. Dont give them non food grade. Welcome to the wonderful world of chickens!! Jenn

 

[SpottedCrow]

Why, in the name of the Great Goddess, would someone want to shoot a chicken?
I'm very glad that you took them in though.

 

[Godsgrl]

DE is fed to animals to help control the worms.

Oh, okay, thank you. I'll make sure it is food grade if I were to feed it to my chickens. Learn something new every day!

Now to answer about why they were in danger of being shot. Someone had them, but he had no way to pen them or catch them, so they ran wild. They got into my neighbor's yard , and were scratching up her flowers. She is super particular about her yard. So her son was going to shoot them. My nephew and my oldest son went out and caught them all. The police actually came by and thanked them, because of all the complaints they were getting.

I honestly have no where to keep chickens either, but my good friend does, and she put together a coop where they are happily scratching. LOL They are only two houses down, so it's not a far jaunt to see my babies. Thanks for the warm welcome!!

 

[SpottedCrow]

Where I live, I HAVE to have a fenced in yard so they don't get out...Not that they'd go too far anyways...just the front yard.

Glad that you got them...

 

[Godsgrl]

, I HAVE to have a fenced in yard so they don't get out

They don't fly over your fence?

 

[SpottedCrow]

Obelisk and Jerry, my Leghorns, did for a while because the neighbour was spreading some yummy looking grass seed, so I clipped their wings.
And when that didn't keep Obelisk from going over, I strung volleyball nets all the way down the yard.
If you clip, they'll need to be done every year after they moult.
But not having Obelisk clipped saved her when Buddy, a neighbour's dog chased her and actually got his mouth around her. She flew over the 6 foot stockade fence and 100 yards down the street without stopping.