Consolidated Kansas

[michelleml]

New chicks survived the night and doing good. Josie I can see what you mean about the Cochin taking care of themselves. We put them in with him/her and started picking at their feet. No feather feet or muff tops guess I will have to wait till they feather out

 

[HEChicken]

This is a related question, so I'll quote ya

Do I need to give grit and oyster shell to my chickens if they don't eat 100% layer feed? I have seen a lot of ads for it lately. I feed them lots of kitchen scraps and grass, and they pick around in their run all day. They always have access to the layer feed though, which has grit, maybe...right???? I have been wondering this for awhile and thought I'd finally get around to asking.

Oyster shell: I leave a bowl of shell out at all times and they will take it when they need it. They seem to know when they need it - for example a hen in molt that is not laying will usually not eat any shell. I would do that even if you are feeding layer feed. You may find they don't take much of it because they get what they need from the feed but if you later have a mixed age flock and switch to a feed that is suitable for the whole flock, the laying hens will really increase their consumption of the shell.

Grit: it won't hurt to leave a bowl out for them but if they are free-ranging they may not need much additional grit, as they can usually find what they need.

Well, I woke at 5am to hear thunder and the rain pounding against the windows - yay! In the end I think we only got about 1/3" but I'll take whatever we get at this point. I am so glad I got the mulch on the vegie garden yesterday and the rain helped to wash in the dust and "fertilizer" that was in it. My rain barrel should be fairly well replenished since the gutter feeds down into it. I am really enjoying having the rain barrel at the coop and my own water supply. Although my well spigot isn't far from the coop, I used to have to take a couple of milk gallon containers and walk out the gate, fill them, then back in the gate, to empty into the water bowl. Now I just turn on the tap at the bottom of the rain barrel and fill the water bowl directly - love it!

 

[chicken danz]

This is a related question, so I'll quote ya

Do I need to give grit and oyster shell to my chickens if they don't eat 100% layer feed? I have seen a lot of ads for it lately. I feed them lots of kitchen scraps and grass, and they pick around in their run all day. They always have access to the layer feed though, which has grit, maybe...right???? I have been wondering this for awhile and thought I'd finally get around to asking.

If your chickens don't free range they need grit to digest their food. They should always have Oyster shell available and will use it as it is needed. I have trouble keeping it somewhere it doesn't get filled with litter or tipped over. I haven't figured out the answer to all that yet. I'd love some suggestions. I don't worry much about the girls that free range but the others really need it.

Danz.. I was glad you called that salmon Favorell in the photo -
I ordered some of those in my chick order. I think they are pretty and have heard they have a great personality.. It looks like there are several here that have them..
You will love them. They aren't awesome big egg producers although their eggs are nice, just not large. But they are so docile and easy going.

RamblinH .. I'll look forward to your chick water photo's.. and if you needed any plumbing tape or not.

-----

New chicks survived the night and doing good. Josie I can see what you mean about the Cochin taking care of themselves. We put them in with him/her and started picking at their feet. No feather feet or muff tops guess I will have to wait till they feather out

Yay! Keep up the good work. If Maidenwolf came on here she is pretty good at identifying bantams as she just bought several and had to figure out what they were.

Oyster shell: I leave a bowl of shell out at all times and they will take it when they need it. They seem to know when they need it - for example a hen in molt that is not laying will usually not eat any shell. I would do that even if you are feeding layer feed. You may find they don't take much of it because they get what they need from the feed but if you later have a mixed age flock and switch to a feed that is suitable for the whole flock, the laying hens will really increase their consumption of the shell.

Grit: it won't hurt to leave a bowl out for them but if they are free-ranging they may not need much additional grit, as they can usually find what they need.

Well, I woke at 5am to hear thunder and the rain pounding against the windows - yay! In the end I think we only got about 1/3" but I'll take whatever we get at this point. I am so glad I got the mulch on the vegie garden yesterday and the rain helped to wash in the dust and "fertilizer" that was in it. My rain barrel should be fairly well replenished since the gutter feeds down into it. I am really enjoying having the rain barrel at the coop and my own water supply. Although my well spigot isn't far from the coop, I used to have to take a couple of milk gallon containers and walk out the gate, fill them, then back in the gate, to empty into the water bowl. Now I just turn on the tap at the bottom of the rain barrel and fill the water bowl directly - love it!

I didn't hear the rain but it looks like we got a fair amount. Of course it was a mud bath out there due to all the melting snow but there are some new puddles. This old clay is so hard that the water just isn't penetrating. It just kind of sits on top. I am sure it is from 2 years of being pounded down with no rain. And where it does penetrate you sink in to your knees in mud.
Heather you have your garden planted already? I'm still waiting for the weather to cooperate and DH to have the tiller on the tractor so I can get mine tilled in good. It's got all the shavings from the brooder house on it-or in it where the chickens have done some work for me. I really need to get it worked up. I also have a big area I need to till after I spray it with Treflan if I can find it, then till it. That will be my chicken garden full of pumpkins,watermelon and cucumbers.
Or that is the plan. It's just trying to work this stuff into the plans while I do every thing else. My DH has no interest in these things so it is up to me.
I'm planning to try to use scraps to floor my hoop coop.I also plan to cover it in the same netting I use to cover my pens. I haven't decided if I am going to put wire along the bottom for an added layer of safety yet or not. I sure feel the effects of the bending and stooping yesterday. This old body sure doesn't appreciate that kind of work. It's used to the stuff I do feeding and watering but when I do something different my back and legs let me know. It sucks to be old!!!

 

[tweetybaby2005]

This is a related question, so I'll quote ya

Do I need to give grit and oyster shell to my chickens if they don't eat 100% layer feed? I have seen a lot of ads for it lately. I feed them lots of kitchen scraps and grass, and they pick around in their run all day. They always have access to the layer feed though, which has grit, maybe...right???? I have been wondering this for awhile and thought I'd finally get around to asking.

I agree with Danz and Hechicken, you need grits for your chickens if they don't free range. Mine free range all day and I have sand in the coop so they peck on them all day long. This is especially important if you feed them table scraps (which I do as well). They really need them to help grind down the food.

Kuan

 

[tweetybaby2005]

If your chickens don't free range they need grit to digest their food. They should always have Oyster shell available and will use it as it is needed. I have trouble keeping it somewhere it doesn't get filled with litter or tipped over. I haven't figured out the answer to all that yet. I'd love some suggestions. I don't worry much about the girls that free range but the others really need it.

Danz, I filled a hanging feeder with oyster shells and put it on 2 stacks of concrete bricks. It has very little litter and I haven't seen it tipped over yet, even when we had those 50 to 60 mph wind a week or so ago. I'll take a pic of it and see if it make sense to you.

Kuan

 

[tweetybaby2005]

Oyster shell: I leave a bowl of shell out at all times and they will take it when they need it. They seem to know when they need it - for example a hen in molt that is not laying will usually not eat any shell. I would do that even if you are feeding layer feed. You may find they don't take much of it because they get what they need from the feed but if you later have a mixed age flock and switch to a feed that is suitable for the whole flock, the laying hens will really increase their consumption of the shell.

Grit: it won't hurt to leave a bowl out for them but if they are free-ranging they may not need much additional grit, as they can usually find what they need.

Well, I woke at 5am to hear thunder and the rain pounding against the windows - yay! In the end I think we only got about 1/3" but I'll take whatever we get at this point. I am so glad I got the mulch on the vegie garden yesterday and the rain helped to wash in the dust and "fertilizer" that was in it. My rain barrel should be fairly well replenished since the gutter feeds down into it. I am really enjoying having the rain barrel at the coop and my own water supply. Although my well spigot isn't far from the coop, I used to have to take a couple of milk gallon containers and walk out the gate, fill them, then back in the gate, to empty into the water bowl. Now I just turn on the tap at the bottom of the rain barrel and fill the water bowl directly - love it!

We got pounded over here as well. Woke me up around 5am and it just came down hard. I still see some of the hail pellets on the deck right now. Not sure how much rain we had but it sure is muddy out.

Kuan

 

[checoukan]

Welcome to att the new people, glad you joined us! It stopped raining here about a hour ago. I didn't have the gauge out, but the way the water is running outside, I bet we got an inch or better. Have all my chores done, except some hay to pen of goats, but that won't take a minute.
Handed the grant proposal in.

I so hope we get the grant, we need better facitltys for the fair, and we want to start having mini 4H work shops here, and mini 4H multi -county shows. Every one keep your fingers crossed that they are like minded too!.

Have 4 dozen hatching eggs sold. They did not care about breed, so I gathered out of the hen house.

Started getting black Almeraucana eggs, and Salmon Faverolles so they are all going into the inky. I was so hoping not to fire up until I was moved in new barn, but the electric guy just came yesterday, and I just can't wait on setting eggs anymore. Been getting some wheaten Ameraucana eggs, but I still think I am going to sell the wheatens, and work on the silver Ameraucana's. In the process of getting them shipped in, but the breeder is talking about some permit that we have to have, and I don't know which one he is talking about.

Danz~~ trying to figure out your new coop, but I am sorta brain fried that last couple of days. The grant really worked my brain over!

I was going to multi post, but I would have to go back so far, and I just don't feel like going back, so here is what I remember.

Glad the horses were located and back home.
All the trash and stuff with the dogs, I would wait until it was fairly dry, and little or no wind in the right direction of course, and I would set all the crap on fire.
The baby geese, and ducklings are so cute,
the baby chicks in the box, I was trying to guess as to what they are, but need better picks. Look like some pretty blues of something.
Hope nobody had any damage from hail. I always worry about hail.

Well I hope everyone is doing well, and all birds are enjoying the warmer weather. I know I am sure am.

Well, better get back to the "FUNNY FARM WHERE LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL ALL THE TIME"

 

[chicken danz]

We didn't get any hail that I know of but the power did go out for a while. I had to reset all the clocks this morning. I guess the incubators were okay. As long as it wasn't hours I'm not too worried. I have a pile of eggs to go in the incubators and no room for them. I think tomorrow I have several that need to go to the hatcher so maybe I'll find the room then. The ducks are really laying and they take a lot of space. But there is money in ducklings.
I put an add on Craiglist this morning hoping to sell my Cuckoo Marans. I just really need the space. They are laying good and I will miss the eggs but I have too many young ones that need to go in their coop. I'm still not sure how I am going to do all this cause I have light Brahmas and some Cochins in there. They are used to free ranging. But I know I have to keep the new girls penned up for awhile so they know where home is. If I had breeding pens done it would be a lot easier!!
I need to get back out and see what else I can get done to that hoop coop.
Checoukan congrats on getting through that grant stuff. Now lets hope it works. I need to take a day to do taxes too. I hate that stuff. It always makes me want to pull my hair out. There's always something else I would rather do instead.

 

[Trish44]

checoukan, I would love to set all the crap next door on fire just to get rid of it all, but I would be afraid I would start some big grass fire or something & burn down the neighborhood. There is an old travel trailer right by our fence that has been stripped of all the siding & windows & things are just hanging out of it. Then there is an old mobile home that has been stripped of things too & is open. That's all besides all the trash all over the hill that the people dumped for years & it's spread all over the yard there now. I'm on the Rural Water district board for our district & we had to pull the water meter there because people were stealing parts off of it. It's just a royal mess & the owner isn't going to do anything unless she's made to & fined. How many Wheaten Ameraucanas do you have left? I didn't know you had them. I have a pair I got from Lindsey that are producing some nice babies now. I'm keeping some chicks right now so I can hopefully get a couple more hens because it takes so long to get very many when you only have two hens to lay. They do lay beautiful blue eggs, I love the color of them. I don't think too many people raise the silver Ameraucanas, so I bet you could sell those pretty well. I'm finding the same with the Wheatens here in my area. I also still am working on the lavenders. I need to save some chicks this year if I get lavenders because my hens are the ones I got from IVY & are getting up there in age. I will need some new ones coming up.

Well I need to get moving, my son & granddaughter will be here soon & I'm not ready for them yet, I'm trying to finish my coffee.

 

[pikeman94]

I moved Curry my Buff Bhrama Bantam into the main coop with the other hens yesterday. As you can see they are all very interested.



Then, in a twist I was talking to my neighbor about my broody hen - Safforn. She has been in this same nesting box for close to a month. So being that I am crazy, I thought lets see what she would do on a batch of eggs. My neighbor is going to give me about a dozen fertile eggs for her to sit on. I have setup a cage in the garage so that Saffron can be separated from the other hens if by some chance any of the eggs hatch. This should be a fun little experiment.