Binding agent for flock blocks

[Ocdbrownie]

So I'm trying to make a flock block. I thought with the eggs and little honey I added it would bind well and harden after I baked it. Well I'm trying to find something to bind it together. Any ideas? I have some liquid pectin, but not sure how to use it. I'm also thinking maybe Paraffin wax? Ideas would be awesome! I already baked it, so not sure if it could be baked again if it's needed to harden.

I already crumbled some of the block up again since it was falling to peices. That's why there are some big peices still left lol it's still way too soft to be called a block lol

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What recipe did you follow?

I would not use liquid pectin or paraffin as a binder - that is not the purpose of either of those products.

Try baking it some more to see if it will harden, if not, I'm sure you chickens will still enjoy it - remember something like this is a treat Store the extra you made in the fridge for several days, I would think it would mold fairly quickly if left out or you could divide it up and freeze it.

Next time follow your recipe more closely - look at some of the more popular bloggers who have tested/proven recipes like The Chicken Chick, Prairie Homestead or Fresh Eggs Daily.

 

[Ocdbrownie]

What recipe did you follow?

I would not use liquid pectin or paraffin as a binder - that is not the purpose of either of those products.

Try baking it some more to see if it will harden, if not, I'm sure you chickens will still enjoy it - remember something like this is a treat Store the extra you made in the fridge for several days, I would think it would mold fairly quickly if left out or you could divide it up and freeze it.

Next time follow your recipe more closely - look at some of the more popular bloggers who have tested/proven recipes like The Chicken Chick, Prairie Homestead or Fresh Eggs Daily.

Didn't really use any recipe. Just kinda threw some stuff together, some sunflower seeds, raisins, peanuts, crushed egg shells, cracked corn and some scratch with a little layer pellets, about 4 eggs and about half cup of honey. Baked at 350 for 40 min

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Didn't really use any recipe. Just kinda threw some stuff together, some sunflower seeds, raisins, peanuts, crushed egg shells, cracked corn and some scratch with a little layer pellets, about 4 eggs and about half cup of honey. Baked at 350 for 40 min

I see. Sounds like heaven for a chicken
You may want to look at some recipes so you get the right amount of moisture vs dry ingredients. I notice some recipes call for coconut oil or even tallow (rendered beef fat) so that may also help with the binding.

 

[Ocdbrownie]

I see. Sounds like heaven for a chicken
You may want to look at some recipes so you get the right amount of moisture vs dry ingredients. I notice some recipes call for coconut oil or even tallow (rendered beef fat) so that may also help with the binding.

Well. . . I took it earlier and added about 6 more eggs (they were liquid eggs, just finished off the box) and another half cup of honey and about a cup of peanut butter to it. This time it went at 400 for 45 min lol. It's currently in sections in four different pie pains in the yard for them to find in the morning. Maybe they'll quit fighting now. . But it made some good solid blocks that I'm pleased with lol

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Well. . . I took it earlier and added about 6 more eggs (they were liquid eggs, just finished off the box) and another half cup of honey and about a cup of peanut butter to it. This time it went at 400 for 45 min lol. It's currently in sections in four different pie pains in the yard for them to find in the morning. Maybe they'll quit fighting now. . But it made some good solid blocks that I'm pleased with lol

Glad you were able to get it work

How many chickens do you have? How much room do you have?
Treats can help with boredom and this is just one reason why chickens will fight. Finding a long term solution to fighting is the way to go. I don't know what your set-up looks like, but having ample space and a few obstacles or perches in their out door space can also help.

 

[Ocdbrownie]

Glad you were able to get it work

How many chickens do you have? How much room do you have?
Treats can help with boredom and this is just one reason why chickens will fight. Finding a long term solution to fighting is the way to go. I don't know what your set-up looks like, but having ample space and a few obstacles or perches in their out door space can also help.

My problem is too many roosters. . . I'm trying to Get rid of them tho because they're terrorizing my few hens and one tried to kill one of my female biddies today. I'm posting a picture of their fenced in yard. I would think it's big enough for 19 mature chickens. And got 10 female biddies about 2 months old in the fencing in fromt of the roost house. I've got plenty of roost space. The whole 12 foot roost across the back wall stays empty and they pile on the side roosts. Lol

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I like all the trees!

Too many roosters can cause some problems. How many roosters do you have? Are they all mature (over a year old)?

I'm sorry that one is attacking the biddies, he sounds like he needs to be separated right now. Do you have a way to cage him or can you make a temporary pen for him to stay in?


Sometimes extra roosters/cockerels can be hard to get rid of. Try your local craigslist, facebook. Heres a link to the state threads on BYC, you can try your state too - someone may live in your area that will take them. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/find-your-states-thread.270925/

Another option, if you are up to it, would be to harvest them for meat.

 

[Ocdbrownie]

I like all the trees!

Too many roosters can cause some problems. How many roosters do you have? Are they all mature (over a year old)?

I'm sorry that one is attacking the biddies, he sounds like he needs to be separated right now. Do you have a way to cage him or can you make a temporary pen for him to stay in?


Sometimes extra roosters/cockerels can be hard to get rid of. Try your local craigslist, facebook. Heres a link to the state threads on BYC, you can try your state too - someone may live in your area that will take them. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/find-your-states-thread.270925/

Another option, if you are up to it, would be to harvest them for meat.

There's a third tree behind the big oak in the front. They only recently was given the back part of the pen, thanks to a recent extension.

We have 19 mature birds. Ranging from 9 months to about two years for the oldest two. There are 10 roosters (I might be wrong on that one little polish. Has the stature and shape of the hen yet has a small a v-shaped comb in its Crest, that I discovered once I was finaly able to catch and trim some of its Crest down. Yet it doesn't crow nor have points or spurs on the small knot on its legs so I'm not sure. . . ) the little old English bantam roo, the older polish roo, and the silkie roo I plan to keep, because they're smaller and easier to handle as well as the bantam and polish stay to themselves while the silkie will let even my child pick him up. I've seen no aggression with these three and the polish tries to keep the other roos off the hens but he's a bit out numbered. . .

As for the one, I yanked out some tail feathers when I slung his butt across the yard. I was hoping I might could open the pen the young ones were in enough so that they could get in and out without the bigger ones following them. The chicks are about 7 weeks old and have been out in the big pen with the rest of the flock for at least a week, and they're the same size as the bantams I have out there, so thought they would be ok. Even with me standing two foot away and not five minutes of opening the pen, he'd peaked her to the ground, grabbed her by the neck and picked her up. I closed their pen back up after that. . . I'll try again once I get rid of a couple roosters.

But that's the worst I've seen that roo act. I expected one of the other three RIR to attack the biddies first since he mostly keeps to himself during their challenges. But I do get that they're still growing so it could be part of his real self coming out.

And I know the option for using them as meat is there but I'd rather give them chance to live first. . . I've already became attached to a lot of them so I couldn't do it myself lol. . . Especially with knowing just how smart my barred rocks are too.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Wow! 10 roosters LOL
I agree, downsizing will make a difference. Hopefully you can rehome some of them soon.
The one that attacked the 7wk old needs to be separated out if at all possible. Cockerels/Roosters can be territorial so as they mature, you may see a lot more fighting. I do agree with you, in your situation, the 7wk olds being kept separated is probably better. They need to get bigger before you attempt to integrate them into a flock with 10 roosters.
Whew....I bet your hens are tired too