California - Northern

[zooweemama]

In the olden days

, the chickens were not expected to make it through the winter. In the Fall, as forage decreased, they would "harvest" the chickens, leaving a small number to over winter. The goal was to have enough to get eggs and hatch some chicks to get for next Spring and summer.

They will live on scraps but not very well. Modern Poultry science has us going from half of them dying in the winter to laying all winter long with lights. We do not have to go that far, but we should give the proper nutrition in the winter.

Looking forward to seeing how the co op of feed goes.

Ron

Edited to add: Yes! it is a great idea to give them your kitchen scraps. Just not too much. Pigs are better for eating the scraps.

So far we do just veggie/fruit scraps- with the very occasional meat scrap. That would be ok right? Since we have mostly dirt here and a tiny patch of grass I figured any produce I offered was a bonus to them?

 

[lawatt]

re: mountain lions -- they've been here in CA longer than people have, and the more we build our homes close to wild areas where they live, the more trouble we'll potentially have from them. there were several livestock kills on my road on Sonoma Mtn this summer, most of which were attributed to feral dogs (!), but two were likely mountain lion, due to the way the animals were killed & then cached -- but we'll just have to secure our animals better and accept any loses we might incur, because we're living in THEIR neighborhood, not the other way around.

 

[ronott1]

Quote: Yes! You are still giving them chicken feed. You are not getting eggs(maybe stop giving them scraps until they lay?) but if you were and they were not getting enough nutrition, the eggs would start having soft shells and etc.

The thing to worry about would be too much carbohydrates. That is where too much scratch will mess them up.

Ron

 

[PGRanch]

Just a cute photo of my 6 month olds free ranging with 2 of my dogs digging up ground squirrels

 

[egg-lady]

On a related note, I read an article yesterday that said contrary to expectations, Mountain Lions released into Nevada were migrating back into CA Via the Sierra Nevadas. They are not hunted in CA and there is more food and water in CA, so they are moving in.

Another predator to worry about...

http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_21719519/study-nevadas-mountain-lions-migrating-california

yes there are, we live 5 mins past the city limit sign and there have been multipule spottings and one person attacked by a mountain lion here around my area. i think i have smelt where he has sprayed his territory on one of our trees in the pasture. Animal control blows it off as a coyote. the lion has been seen by neighbors.

 

[ronott1]

re: mountain lions -- they've been here in CA longer than people have, and the more we build our homes close to wild areas where they live, the more trouble we'll potentially have from them. there were several livestock kills on my road on Sonoma Mtn this summer, most of which were attributed to feral dogs (!), but two were likely mountain lion, due to the way the animals were killed & then cached -- but we'll just have to secure our animals better and accept any loses we might incur, because we're living in THEIR neighborhood, not the other way around.

I read another article about large predators living inside of cities. Chicago has coyotes living in an Urban area and other places have Bears living in the town.

The take away was that keeping chickens in Cities will require us to protect against large predators, not just Cats, Raccoons and such.

 

[ronott1]

Just a cute photo of my 6 month olds free ranging with 2 of my dogs digging up ground squirrels

That is a nice picture!

I love the white one.

 

[Papa Brooder]

anyone dealt with an egg bound hen before? I think I may have an egg bound silkie but have not had the nerve to "explore". any recommendations. i noticed her not moving around well last night and then this morning she was in the same spot she was in last night which is not normal. she'll eat and drink but walks very slow and kind of waddles. i have her in a warm bath right now but also have to leave in 15 minutes so any quick ideas would be helpful!

 

[zooweemama]

Just a cute photo of my 6 month olds free ranging with 2 of my dogs digging up ground squirrels

REally nice pic! Love that the white seems to be looking at you. haha!

 

[tls_ranch]

Quote: Yes! You are still giving them chicken feed. You are not getting eggs(maybe stop giving them scraps until they lay?) but if you were and they were not getting enough nutrition, the eggs would start having soft shells and etc.

The thing to worry about would be too much carbohydrates. That is where too much scratch will mess them up.

Ron
Mine actually seem to lay better when I give them scraps/leftovers. If you can provide a good blend of leftovers/scraps including protein, fats, carbohydrates, fruits and veggies etc. then I don't see a problem with feeding them the same as we eat (but watch out for too much salt/fat). Now if you only fed "junk" then they won't get enough protein or calcium and your egg production will suffer. It will also suffer if the leftovers/scraps are not of good nutritional quality or you give too much of one thing (not a "balanced diet). Of course I have free choice oyster shell and "regular" feed for them too as well as other supplements. I just don't want to see all that food (leftovers/scraps) go to waste.

Trisha