pekincochin12
Songster
- Apr 8, 2020
- 204
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Hi all, I have 2 coops and I am looking for diet suggestions for each. We currently feed Purina Flock Raiser, but I am concerned about the high protein content with my pekins. None of them free range, due to a high presence of predators in our yard. Which birds are in each coop, as well as information about diet are below:
Coop 1: 3 chickens (1 bantam cochin, 2 australorps), 5 Pekins (1 drake, 5 females).
*NOTE: I am aware that there is always a slight risk of a drake trying to mate with a chicken. My chickens have areas that the ducks cannot get to and I have not had any issues with past mixed flocks.*
- Bantam cochin is 3 years, australorps are 1 yr; 2 pekin hens are 4 yrs, remaining 4 pekins were hatched in February
- Currently fed Purina Flock Raiser with brewer's yeast added and free choice oyster shells on the side
- We do have a platform where the chickens can eat separately, so the ducks don't hog everything
Coop 2: 4 drakes (2 Pekins and 2 Khaki Campbells).
- Pekins are 4 yrs, khakis were hatched in February
- Currently fed Purina Flock Raiser with brewer's yeast added
Looking for advice, but I also have a few questions:
1. Someone suggested to me that we could cut the protein content of food by feeding oats mixed in with their food. Is this a good idea? What types of oats are best? Will it lower the protein content too much for the chickens?
2. Should we just continue feeding "The Boys" (coop 2) flock raiser? The two pekins in this coop are older and therefore, don't eat as much as the growing ones. Or would it be better to switch to Purina's duck formula?
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!
Coop 1: 3 chickens (1 bantam cochin, 2 australorps), 5 Pekins (1 drake, 5 females).
*NOTE: I am aware that there is always a slight risk of a drake trying to mate with a chicken. My chickens have areas that the ducks cannot get to and I have not had any issues with past mixed flocks.*
- Bantam cochin is 3 years, australorps are 1 yr; 2 pekin hens are 4 yrs, remaining 4 pekins were hatched in February
- Currently fed Purina Flock Raiser with brewer's yeast added and free choice oyster shells on the side
- We do have a platform where the chickens can eat separately, so the ducks don't hog everything
Coop 2: 4 drakes (2 Pekins and 2 Khaki Campbells).
- Pekins are 4 yrs, khakis were hatched in February
- Currently fed Purina Flock Raiser with brewer's yeast added
Looking for advice, but I also have a few questions:
1. Someone suggested to me that we could cut the protein content of food by feeding oats mixed in with their food. Is this a good idea? What types of oats are best? Will it lower the protein content too much for the chickens?
2. Should we just continue feeding "The Boys" (coop 2) flock raiser? The two pekins in this coop are older and therefore, don't eat as much as the growing ones. Or would it be better to switch to Purina's duck formula?
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!