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

[al6517]

Quote:


My first thought when I saw them was FERAL !!, domesticated feral chickens are real hardy, wary, smart, sonsabuggars. They were probably the result of somebody just letting them run free all over the place and hens brooding chicks as they saw fit, then at some point they just fended for themselfs. They would make great free range birds and you don't have to teach them squat and they will be a ton healthier than any hatchery mutt that comes in a box on your doorstep. They are really kinda cool looking though and they appear to have some game bird in their blood.

 

[al6517]

Quote:

Yes !!! if you have small gallon waterers then dilluting in that is good, but if it is allowed to sit unconsumed for days, it discolors cheapo plastic waterers. Top dressing is good and what I use mostly giving it a good mix should change the color of the feed after 1 min of mixing, 2 capfulls in a gallon of feed is plenty.

 

[Gargoyle]

My first thought when I saw them was FERAL !!,

You need to get you some of those feral Hawaiian chickens, one mother hen can lay at least a dozen eggs daily. Unfortunately "they can sicken people who eat the awful-tasting wild chickens without thoroughly washing or cooking them; and they can carry pests, such as fleas, ticks and lice".

(that's what this article from last year originally stated, they did publish a correction to the "dozen eggs daily" after a bunch of BYC'ers wrote to tell them they were total idiots).

 

[Beekissed]

I would actually LOVE to have some of those feral chickens. The article was laughable....

 

[galefrances]

I understand if it's frowned upon; I wasn't griping. If it's not a big deal though, I'd appreciate some input.

They are around 20-weeks-old, give or take a week. When I got them, they were black with some gold mixed in, so I was hoping for Wyandottes. Well, they are certainly NOT Wyandottes.

I'm curious to know, is it normal for the "blond" headed one to be so pale faced? Is it odd that the "brunette" has so much black on her comb? Is it weird that their combs and wattles are so tiny for their age? They tend to eat differently than my hatchery golden comets. They turn their beaks up at cottage cheese and scrambled eggs and seem to prefer fruit and veg. They are SO skinny compared to my other chickens, even though they eat well. Any way to help them plump up a little before it gets cold? Even if they are mutts, I think I'll enjoy having them in the flock, especially once they start laying. That's another thing, any guesses as to what color/size egg they may lay? Thanks in advance!

Your chickens are absolutely beautiful. So glad you found your way to this thread, otherwise I would have missed seeing such unique birds.

 

[fowlman01]

Yes but it is used mainly to boost blood vitamin levels and is safe for almost all good farm livestock. without a healthy blood transfer system everything else is futile or just takes forever. It's great for bringing back unthrifty birds and just a great overall supplement when called for.

NanaKat : Glad you liked it and glad it works for you. LOL and it ain't a mile long hehehehee, I do my custom feed mixing like my gramma taught me to cook, a little a this and a little a that LOL.

What about burning some incense around my roo........

Walt

 

[Gargoyle]

What about burning some incense around my roo........

Walt

That would be incensetive.

 

[Beekissed]

What about burning some incense around my roo........

Walt

 

[fowlman01]

it worked for me in the late 60's.

w.

 

[al6517]

Quote:

LOL sure Walt......... do you know the words to Joan Baiz's song ......... Kum-by ah heheheee. we could sing that too.