Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[ChickenCanoe]

Fred's Hens :

Bottom line? I've read a dozen of these studies and my mind is clear on the subject. I also don't believe it falls into the realm of "just one man's opinion" either. Since pullets and hens are my main poultry focus, I come down squarely within the anti high calcium for young birds crowd. Everyone has to make up their own minds on this subject. The research and the results are readily available. This isn't a mystery anymore.

X2

When so much nutrition research has been done, IMO, there's no reason to reinvent the wheel.​

 

[Gypsi]

well my new pullets had medicated chick starter and after a couple of bags of that they went to foraging, BOSS, game bird non-layer ration, and scratch. The game bird feed is 20% protein but was only about 2/3 of their diet. They are now mainly on scratch, boss, with a bit of layer and a lot of rye grass, and the occasional dish of game bird feed to be sure they get some protein. Does that sound better? (2nd time is MUCH easier.)

Gypsi

 

[MedChicken]

I just heard that we're in for a sudden cold snap - we're expecting lows (in the 30s to low 40s lately) to drop into the 20s for a few days. Should I be concerned about my hens? A few are still looking a bit ratty from the molt. Other than making sure they have liquid water and plenty of calories, is there anything I need to consider, given that this is such a rapid change?

Thanks!

 

[featherz]

Quote:
Just make sure the coop is free from drafts,etc. I have some molting hens and we're going down to zero tomorrow. Mine will be fine, yours will be also, especially in the 20s.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Quote:
Yes, much better. I don't see any big issues with what you did. However, as a side note, high protein, meaning 18%-24% from weeks 14 to Point Of Lay has been shown to "push" the developing pullet into laying before her organ and bone structure is fully matured. Here's what the research seems to indicate and it is what I follow. You can decide for yourself what you'll do with future developing pullet flocks.

At week 13 or 14, I intentionally SLOW their maturity rate. I want the pullets to delay their onset of laying, if I can. Instead, I want the bird to grow bigger in bone and organs. The research seems to indicate feeding 14-16 percent protein during this period. Absolutely no pushing of the artificial lighting. Since spring chicks tend to be this 16 week age in August and September when the days have already grown 3 hours shorter than the June 21 solstice, this isn't hard to do. Simply don't add any light hours to their regime. Once they are 20-22 weeks of age? OK. Full speed ahead, if you wish.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The one problem I have with those calcium studies is that every one I've seen starts from Day 1 with them eating Layer. I have not seen any studies where they switch from Starter or Grower to Layer at 8 weeks or 12 weeks. Somewhere there is a cut-off where it does not do any real harm, or the chance of it doing real harm significantly drops. I don't know where that point is. I suspect it is going to depend on several different factors, some related to the individual bird and some related to how much they actually eat. And it makes sense the older they are the less difference it makes.

Gypsi, I don't know if that Layer after 8 weeks contributed to your problem or not. As Fred said, someone that knows what they are looking at would have to look at their kidneys and liver to maybe make an informed decision. I'm certainly not qualified. When I process sometimes the livers are pretty pale and sometimes they are a lot darker. Unless it was dramatic, I probably would not recognize an abnormal growth if I saw it. Often, it is not one specific thing that causes a problem but a combination of things. I can't make any kind of assessment of your chickens or offer any great advice except use what you learn to try to do it better next time. That might help and it might not.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Quote:
It is January and it is past time for Zero weather, arctic blasts, Alberta Clippers and all the rest. We're heading to -10F tonight. Yes, I'll be sure to feed them well. Especially after 2 pm. I'll break open a half bale of straw for them to kick around. Check the water. Clean and thawed. That's it. Nothing else to do. In the morning? They'll all be up and rowdy. Most will be laying too. I'm not concerned.

 

[featherz]

Quote:
Oh yah, main worry, get the eggs before they freeze. Other than that no worries here.

 

[ruffles]

I agree with alot of what is written. If any animal or fowl is killed for food or illness,I have no problem, but, as long as it is done humanely.

I live in a farming town, grew up on a small farm. Yes, my chickens are pets, but, they are not children, my dogs are pets but, they along with the cats are not children.

 

[ruffles]

I do not know how my reply was posted on this particular topic. I wa reading Old Time Farmer

Sandi