California - Northern

[MossyoakLane]

I have been feeding H and (B?) organic chick starter to my young birds and King pro am show and grow (they were out of layer pellets) to my older girls with free choice oyster shell. Since integrating them I have been feeding the little ones outside the pen in the morning so the big girls will allow them to eat and so that they are eating the right thing. I would like to feed the same thing to everyone when my current supplies run out. Ron, or anyone else who feeds King. what should I ask for at the feed store? Thanks!

We feed the Freedom starter grower to everyone. My only complaint is that it is very powdery.

While we are talking food....our problem BO (Betty), started losing weight about 3 weeks ago (we think). She is in a separate pen with our EE (who is our gentlest bird). Betty is not getting chased from the food. She has not been growing as rapidly as the others. She was totally healthy, no signs of sickness other that weight loss. She was acting totally normal (other than being her freaky self). Poos were all normal, just small. We were giving her extra treats (meal worms, strawberries, BOSS, sprouted wheat, melon, greens) all of which she loved and was eating. The food however, she wasn't. Last week we decided to switch her to a meat bird grower thinking if she is not going to eat much, at least what she will get will be super high protein. At the same time we also added probiotic and electrolytes to her water. She has been chowing on her food! I am not sure what did it. Should I keep adding electrolytes to her water? Is it safe to use continuously? Funny things is she calmed down quite a bit too.
Did I go about this the right way? At this point, I am just happy she is eating. Has anyone come across a bird that was that picky about food?

I feel horrible....total bad chicken mom moment. We have been so busy with family issues (MIL has cancer) that we missed that Betty was suffering

 

[ronott1]

We feed the Freedom starter grower to everyone. My only complaint is that it is very powdery.

While we are talking food....our problem BO (Betty), started losing weight about 3 weeks ago (we think). She is in a separate pen with our EE (who is our gentlest bird). Betty is not getting chased from the food. She has not been growing as rapidly as the others. She was totally healthy, no signs of sickness other that weight loss. She was acting totally normal (other than being her freaky self). Poos were all normal, just small. We were giving her extra treats (meal worms, strawberries, BOSS, sprouted wheat, melon, greens) all of which she loved and was eating. The food however, she wasn't. Last week we decided to switch her to a meat bird grower thinking if she is not going to eat much, at least what she will get will be super high protein. At the same time we also added probiotic and electrolytes to her water. She has been chowing on her food! I am not sure what did it. Should I keep adding electrolytes to her water? Is it safe to use continuously? Funny things is she calmed down quite a bit too.
Did I go about this the right way? At this point, I am just happy she is eating. Has anyone come across a bird that was that picky about food?

I feel horrible....total bad chicken mom moment. We have been so busy with family issues (MIL has cancer) that we missed that Betty was suffering

Some breeds need more protein and animal protein too. The lowest cost way is to give them Calf Mana(it has a lot of Soy though). Ultra kibble has fish meal. Costco has a cat food that has fishmeal and salmon meal in it but it is a bit more expensive than Calf Mana.

Yes, behavior including feather picking can come from Protein deficiency.

About the electrolyte, lower that back to a couple times a week. The Grocery Outlet, Walmart and Food For Less sell a big bag of kale. Feed some of that to her each morning.

 

[lawatt]

We feed the Freedom starter grower to everyone. My only complaint is that it is very powdery.

just curious, where are you finding it to buy? Western Farm only carries the Freedom layer, not the starter -- i was able to find it once at Novato Horse & Pet, but they have been sold out every other time i've been by there...

 

[ronott1]

just curious, where are you finding it to buy? Western Farm only carries the Freedom layer, not the starter -- i was able to find it once at Novato Horse & Pet, but they have been sold out every other time i've been by there...

Here in the Davis\Sacramento area they had supply problems along with a Manager that was not working out. The Manager has been replace at Western Pet and Feed. They told me that they would be able to get the Grower\Starter regularly now.

I do have to call on Monday to make sure the Freedom feed is delivered on their Wednesday shipment.

 

[MossyoakLane]

just curious, where are you finding it to buy? Western Farm only carries the Freedom layer, not the starter -- i was able to find it once at Novato Horse & Pet, but they have been sold out every other time i've been by there..

We get it in Novato.I usually call ahead before I make the trip. Last time we were there they were sold out of the 50lb bags so gave me 5 of the 10lb bags for the same price. They said they were blown away by it's popularity. and It's flying off of the shelves.
They asked us how much we would get/how often as they are trying to get an idea of how much to order each month. I need to go down in the next week or so to get some. I just dumped the last bag in the feeder.

I keep asking Western Farms to carry the starter.....maybe if keep hounding them...LOL

 

[lawatt]

Here in the Davis\Sacramento area they had supply problems along with a Manager that was not working out. The Manager has been replace at Western Pet and Feed. They told me that they would be able to get the Grower\Starter regularly now.

I do have to call on Monday to make sure the Freedom feed is delivered on their Wednesday shipment.

oh, i meant in Sonoma County, where mossyoaklane (i'm sorry, i can't think of your actual name) and i are both located -- our Western Farm Center is in Santa Rosa.

 

[lawatt]

We get it in Novato.I usually call ahead before I make the trip. Last time we were there they were sold out of the 50lb bags so gave me 5 of the 10lb bags for the same price. They said they were blown away by it's popularity. and It's flying off of the shelves.
They asked us how much we would get/how often as they are trying to get an idea of how much to order each month. I need to go down in the next week or so to get some. I just dumped the last bag in the feeder.

I keep asking Western Farms to carry the starter.....maybe if keep hounding them...LOL

excellent to know! i will try hounding Western Farm, too -- i was able to get 3 10lb bags from Novato, but then they were out the next two times i stopped by. need to remember to call first!

 

[8machines]

I am sorry yours are not nice. Mine are very tame and friendly. They are my next Breeder Quality breed. One day I will have all of them switched over...Ok by the Fall I think.

I'm sorry, the Australorps are very sweet. It's the 9 other, different breed chicks in the run that pick on them. I have 2 EE's, 2 Plymouth Rock's, 2 Jersey Giants, and 2 RIR's, and 1 Brahma, all about 4-5 months. The little 10 week month old Australorps run to the corner when the others chase them, but they are getting to big for their pen. The little white Brahma is the worst. My hubby wants them in with the others today. Will let you know what happens. Too many breeds I guess.

 

[8machines]

And I was so hoping our cool down would start on Thursday, but they changed the forecast dangit!

Our downstairs is cooler so we sleep there. It's days like this that make me regret moving from Watsonville, near Santa Cruz and Monterey. Wish I had the money to move back.

 

[liz9910]

It was 72 degrees this morning at 5:30, I opened up all my windows/doors and turned on the whole house fan, but the temp didn't drop any in the house (from 78) by the time I left at 7:45. Oh well. In other news, I think one of my hatchery Marans is egg bound, she's been in the nest box a lot but isn't broody.