Chickens aren’t eating chicken feed

[Baruch]

ALL PETS are like toddlers. Another consideration is who will care for your birds in an emergency if you are called away for a family funeral, or are hospitalized for days, etc.? One lady had a friend take care of her birds for a week and when she returned home found her prize show Silkie dead from thirst cuz the friend hung the water bucket too high and the little bird couldn't reach.

We thought our first coop was big enough for two little Silkies. It was custom-built by a feed store customer and we bought it right away cuz it was much larger than DIY little coop packages on the internet. However big our custom-built coop was it still was not big enough for two little chickens and the rain poured in and the sun beat down in summer in spite of tarps.
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When we remodeled the yard we thought to get a sturdier barn coop and dog kennel wire run but we had the same issues of leaking rain and hot summer sun on the barn coop so we built a patio slab floor and patio roof over the barn coop/run to protect from weather or night-time predators like raccoons, opossums, stray dogs, feral cats, coyotes that jump into the yard, even a Coopers hawk knocked himself out trying to fly at our chickens that were inside the dog kennel wire run!
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Kennel run attached and extended.

With a remodeled backyard with block wall fencing, 3 popup canopies, planted citrus trees, dog houses, benches, all added for shade or hiding from day/aerial predators, we have not lost one free-ranging backyard bird to predators yet. However, the smell of chickens does eventually bring predators around so we need to be adequately prepared as much as possible.
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Lots of things to think about in owning pets. We lined up a veterinarian in advance that sees poultry before we got our first two birds. We've had backyard chickens over 13 years and still are learning. BYC is the best place for kind consultations and recommendations.

Thank you so much. That’s why I decided I’m not going to get chickens of my own right now. I already have too much on my plate (pet-wise). I will live vicariously through you guys!

The summer heat taught me all I needed to know. I can’t stand being outside in this heat. Lol

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

The male can be on chick feed indefinitely, but the hen will need to be on layer feed once she starts laying.

Yes. The male can also have layer feed. All of my males have layer feed (except the cockerels, of course) and it does not harm them in any way. Of course males do not need excess calcium in their diet, but I have noticed males eat less than females, most likely because they are watching out for predators and escorting the females more than they are consuming feed.

I’m still contemplating if I will decide to get a few hens of my own. I love chickens so much, but I want to make sure I’m fully committed before I decide. Chickens are a lot of work and need the best care. They are like toddlers.

This was your first experience taking care of chickens, right? You still have a lot to learn. Chickens are a joy when you are able to make them happy and give them everything they need. But doing that means researching a lot. We are here for you if you need answers.

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

Thank you so much. That’s why I decided I’m not going to get chickens of my own right now. I already have too much on my plate (pet-wise). I will live vicariously through you guys!

Wise choice. If you end up getting chickens, prepare for the chicken math. It is real. And chicken math is a reason you always need to build your coop and pen bigger than it needs to be, because you will likely get additions to the flock later on.

The summer heat taught me all I needed to know. I can’t stand being outside in this heat. Lol

It sounds like you need heat hardy breeds, if you are to get any chickens. Chickens that are heat hardy will have large comb and wattles, and clean legs. Blood circulates in the comb and wattles to cool the chicken, and the larger the comb and wattles, the cooler the chicken will be and therefore more heat hardy. Cold hardy breeds will have small comb, tiny wattles that are usually hidden by muffs and beard (which make the head warmer with all the fluff), and feathered legs (to make the legs warmer).

The uncle will give them the proper diet once they come back from their trip. The chicks are currently getting a good diet.

Good. I also have another thing to add. Your uncle needs to get more females, because the average ratio is one male to ten females. That female he has now will most likely be torn up by that male breeding her. Some males have low hormones are can handle only a couple of females (I have a rooster like that, rarely mates) but those are few and far between.

 

[Sylvester017]

Thank you so much. That’s why I decided I’m not going to get chickens of my own right now. I already have too much on my plate (pet-wise). I will live vicariously through you guys!

The summer heat taught me all I needed to know. I can’t stand being outside in this heat. Lol

Wise decisions you are making. We waited till retirement before having chickens so we could concentrate on their care. Out of 3 pet choices of a dog, a cat, or a couple Silkie chickens DH chose chickens cuz he never had them before. We had indoor birds before like parakeets, English budgies, cockatiels, and parrots, so he wanted to try chickens. They are smart, cuddly, trainable, and know their name when called. DH has one chicken that chose him as HER human! She waits by the back door for him to escort her to the coop every evening.

 

[tlcmurphy]

Roosters and non-laying hens should not be fed layer feed, the extra calcium isn’t good for them.
I feed All Flock with oyster shell on the side, it’s also higher in protein.

 

[tlcmurphy]

Congrats @Baruch, your thread has made featured content on the BYC homepage!

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

DH chose chickens

Always a good decision.

They are smart, cuddly, trainable, and know their name when called.

Not only do they know their name, but they also name their humans! Just throwing that fact out there because I find it really cute. My name in chicken is "Waa-Waa." The second "Waa" is a bit more drawn out than the first one.

 

[Sylvester017]

Not only do they know their name, but they also name their humans! Just throwing that fact out there because I find it really cute. My name in chicken is "Waa-Waa." The second "Waa" is a bit more drawn out than the first one.

Likewise -- we had a Silkie that heard me call for DH enough times that she would call him too in the same inflection and tone as me! Chickens are so smart!

 

[Baruch]

I need to vent.

My uncle’s family came back from their week trip, and my uncle said he’s going to get rid of the chickens by letting them free in downtown Miami (we have stray chickens there).

Why the heck did he make me take care of his chickens for a week if he’s just going to throw them outside?!?!

Now I got attached to these chickens. Grrrr. I knew this was going to happen, and I specifically told my aunt that if they’re planning on getting rid of the chickens regardless, why put me through the labor and effort????

God. I’m so pissed. My aunt called me the day before she left, asking if she should dump her chickens outside because she felt bad for asking me to care for them.

I asked her, if you’re already planning on dumping the chickens, why should I watch them for 7 days?!? She said she felt bad to ask me to watch them, so she’d get rid of her kid’s pet chickens.

I said, if you are already with one foot out the door, why put me through the effort. I know my family. They’ve done this crap before.

I literally bought them chick food and bedding and researched so much. My uncle wanted to pay me back, but I can’t ask money from family.

I’m pissed. Furious. So inconsiderate. I was explaining him about caring for them, and he just blurted out how they’re too messy for his kids, so he’s gonna let them go.

 

[TooCheep]

Wow. Very sorry to hear it. They are young and healthy. It really is a shame to just let them go.