Can you post a video of her yelling
Brahma "yelling" when eating...
- Thread starter micstrachan
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #12
Yes, I will try to get a video. Tough to catch. Thanks!Can you post a video of her yelling
- Thread starter
- #13
Have already done all of these things. No snacks. Water and feed are always full. Have started offering (fresh) damp feed first thing in the morning and last ting in the day, which they love. I’m getting mixed reviews on yogurt. Thought it was good for probiotic, especially if there could be a crop issue?
Last edited:
Powdered probiotic is best..You can get it at pets stores in the Bird section or places that sell poultry supplements.
Wetting feed can cause crop issues...
- Thread starter
- #15
Ok, so I’m in a bit of a Catch 22. Want to entice the thinner girls to eat, but don’t want to cause problems for Buttercup. How does dampening feed cause crop issues?
Personally, I have never had any problems giving wet feed. I give fresh made wet mash daily and make dry crumbles available free choice.
Most crop issues stem from either ingesting something that is difficult to pass such as long grasses, a foreign object (nuts, bolts, etc.) or there is an underlying condition that causes inflammation or slows/inhibits the movement of food (worms, coccidiosis, reproductive disorders, etc.).
What exactly do you feed? You mention that you have some thinner girls - are they losing weight? What breeds are they and how old? I'm just trying to get a better understanding of what's going on, so we can give you some suggestions.
Most crop issues stem from either ingesting something that is difficult to pass such as long grasses, a foreign object (nuts, bolts, etc.) or there is an underlying condition that causes inflammation or slows/inhibits the movement of food (worms, coccidiosis, reproductive disorders, etc.).
What exactly do you feed? You mention that you have some thinner girls - are they losing weight? What breeds are they and how old? I'm just trying to get a better understanding of what's going on, so we can give you some suggestions.
- Thread starter
- #17
Thank you. They feel thinner to me, but I’m not sure how to tell. Thinking it could be a pecking order issue. The thinner ones, not including my Brown Leghorn, Margo, who is a thinner breed to begin with, are my Buckeye, Ruby and my Speckled Sussex, Mildred (Millie). Though she’s not one of the thinner ones, I’m wonderi g if my Buff Orpington, Cashew, should be heavier, too. They are 3 of my 6 30-week-olds. Honestly, the younger pnes, with the exception of my Silver Laced Wyandotte, Roxy, who is just a small chicken for whatever reason, appear bigger than the 20-month-olds, so maybe I’m being paranoid. Which I am, ever since losing Rusty. Just don’t want any unnecessary illnesses or deaths due to ignorance.
- Thread starter
- #18
Sorry, didn’t answer the question about what I feed them. Here’s what’s always available free choice:
•Organic layer crumble
•Grit
•Oyster shell
•Clean water
Lately (like just a few days) I’ve been offering damp crumble in the morning and esrly evening. Sonetimes with a littke Calf Manna Performance Supplement mixed in for protein. The feed store advised me it helps them gain weight, when I had a sick hen. Occasional treats include:
•Sardines
•Kale
•Greek yogurt
•Live mealworms
•Dry mealworms
•Hulled sunflower seeds
•Scrambled eggs
•Sprouted wheat berries or farro
•Fruit (berries or melon) - more in summer)
•Corn on the cob
•Millet
Unfortunately, my husband had something like 20 truck loads of dirt brought here from a property he was managing and there is nothing for the girls to forage in, since he covered all the grass and weeds. My neighbor still has a large field and is happy to share (he considers it fertilizer).
I do plan to grow chicken forage pasture as soon as the rains come, but I’m in California, so it could be awhile.
•Organic layer crumble
•Grit
•Oyster shell
•Clean water
Lately (like just a few days) I’ve been offering damp crumble in the morning and esrly evening. Sonetimes with a littke Calf Manna Performance Supplement mixed in for protein. The feed store advised me it helps them gain weight, when I had a sick hen. Occasional treats include:
•Sardines
•Kale
•Greek yogurt
•Live mealworms
•Dry mealworms
•Hulled sunflower seeds
•Scrambled eggs
•Sprouted wheat berries or farro
•Fruit (berries or melon) - more in summer)
•Corn on the cob
•Millet
Unfortunately, my husband had something like 20 truck loads of dirt brought here from a property he was managing and there is nothing for the girls to forage in, since he covered all the grass and weeds. My neighbor still has a large field and is happy to share (he considers it fertilizer).
I do plan to grow chicken forage pasture as soon as the rains come, but I’m in California, so it could be awhile.
Last edited:
Have you weighed them?
At 30weeks they should be fairly filled out - you don't want fat chickens - this can lead to Fatty Liver Disease, cause difficulty laying eggs, stress on the heart, etc. Saying this - they are still young too - Buckeye and Sussex are considered heritage dual purpose breeds and are slow growers. It's hard to know if they are underweight or not unless you feel each one (see chart below). As they get older, the will fill out more. I also included a chart that gives weights for different breeds - keep in mind, it should only be used as a guideline - weight can vary drastically from one bird to the next depending on how they were bred (genetics) and imho where they came from (breeder vs. hatchery).
What's the protein % of your layer feed? Layer feed is designed as a complete food for actively laying hens.
There's nothing wrong with adding extra protein to their diet - I'm not familiar with the Calf Manna Performance, if it's really high in protein, go easy with it. The greens and other treats you offer sounds fine as long as they don't go over 5-10% of the daily intake.
Text and image for educational purposes found here:http://www.dummies.com/home-garden/...to-give-your-chickens-a-physical-examination/
Chart for breeds here
https://livestockconservancy.org/images/uploads/docs/pickachicken.pdf
At 30weeks they should be fairly filled out - you don't want fat chickens - this can lead to Fatty Liver Disease, cause difficulty laying eggs, stress on the heart, etc. Saying this - they are still young too - Buckeye and Sussex are considered heritage dual purpose breeds and are slow growers. It's hard to know if they are underweight or not unless you feel each one (see chart below). As they get older, the will fill out more. I also included a chart that gives weights for different breeds - keep in mind, it should only be used as a guideline - weight can vary drastically from one bird to the next depending on how they were bred (genetics) and imho where they came from (breeder vs. hatchery).
What's the protein % of your layer feed? Layer feed is designed as a complete food for actively laying hens.
There's nothing wrong with adding extra protein to their diet - I'm not familiar with the Calf Manna Performance, if it's really high in protein, go easy with it. The greens and other treats you offer sounds fine as long as they don't go over 5-10% of the daily intake.
Text and image for educational purposes found here:http://www.dummies.com/home-garden/...to-give-your-chickens-a-physical-examination/
Chart for breeds here
https://livestockconservancy.org/images/uploads/docs/pickachicken.pdf
- Jan 30, 2015
- 58,398
- 243,466
- 1,727
Similar threads
New posts New threads Active threads
-
Latest threads
-
-
-
-
-
Basterno Plus vs Panacur paste
- Started by Rustycage
- Replies: 5
-
-
Threads with more replies in the last 15 days
-
-
-
-
Two dead chicks in brooder pen
- Started by redinator
- Replies: 69
-
-
