Feed Management Methods [Poll]

[U_Stormcrow]

I expect, with the above clarifications, some answers will change, but I promissed a new chart at 100 answers. Here's where we stand with @JacinLarkwell 's adjustments:

Next time, I'll add a "definitions" section.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Even though you have so many choices, I still had a hard time matching our management with the list! We have three flocks: a layer flock with a few ducks, a rooster flock (bachelor pad), and a Guinea fowl flock. Let me know if I should not have marked for the Guinea flock. The layer flock is in a secure coop/run most of the time. I try to let them free range an hour or two a day, but that often doesn’t happen so more like every other day. The rooster flock has a secure coop/run but also an electric poultry fence with around 400 sq feet per bird. The guineas are in a secure coop/run but free range all day during winter but only half the day during spring/summer.

 

[Painted Calls]

My flock is completely secure, but I let them out almost daily for a few hours.

Edit to add: Each has more than 1,000 sqft to free range in, but they don't use all of it. They stay very close.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Even though you have so many choices, I still had a hard time matching our management with the list! We have three flocks: a layer flock with a few ducks, a rooster flock (bachelor pad), and a Guinea fowl flock. Let me know if I should not have marked for the Guinea flock. The layer flock is in a secure coop/run most of the time. I try to let them free range an hour or two a day, but that often doesn’t happen so more like every other day. The rooster flock has a secure coop/run but also an electric poultry fence with around 400 sq feet per bird. The guineas are in a secure coop/run but free range all day during winter but only half the day during spring/summer.

The first flock is Secure, weekly a few hours, less than 1k ft2
The second flock is Secure, less than 1k ft 2, and how many hours a day are they in the electric fenced area?
The guineas are Secure, more than 8 hours, space based on what's available to them

Hope that helps.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Edit to add: Each has more than 1,000 sqft to free range in, but they don't use all of it. They stay very close.

at this point, I'm more interested in "available" than use. My birds have 30 acres when they (routinely) ignore the elctric fence. 5 acres +/- when they don't. But when a hawk makes an attempted snatch and grab, all 70-80 of them congregate in an area of maybe 2,000 sq feet or less until they feel safe again (usually a day or two).

I expect some judgement calls in this, but whether my birds get credited 5a or 30a, its more than 1k sq ft per bird, so immaterial. If someone had a few thousand sq ft of a poultry netting run for a flock of 8, and one bird routinely "flew the coop", I would encourage them to select an answer based on the flock's *intended* management - secure, less than <1,000 sq ft ea, whatever time allowed.

Hope that helps!

 

[Painted Calls]

at this point, I'm more interested in "available" than use. My birds have 30 acres when they (routinely) ignore the elctric fence. 5 acres +/- when they don't. But when a hawk makes an attempted snatch and grab, all 70-80 of them congregate in an area of maybe 2,000 sq feet or less until they feel safe again (usually a day or two).

I expect some judgement calls in this, but whether my birds get credited 5a or 30a, its more than 1k sq ft per bird, so immaterial. If someone had a few thousand sq ft of a poultry netting run for a flock of 8, and one bird routinely "flew the coop", I would encourage them to select an answer based on the flock's *intended* management - secure, less than <1,000 sq ft ea, whatever time allowed.

Hope that helps!

Gotcha! Mine (if they so choose) have access to over 120 acres before they would hit a solid fence.

 

[Shadrach]

@U_Stormcrow
May I make a suggestion. Number the options in the poll. It will make it easier when people are not sure which option is applicable to their keeping arrangements.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

The first flock is Secure, weekly a few hours, less than 1k ft2
The second flock is Secure, less than 1k ft 2, and how many hours a day are they in the electric fenced area?
The guineas are Secure, more than 8 hours, space based on what's available to them

Hope that helps.

Rooster flock has access to larger poultry netted area all day. I’ve marked them all - thanks!

Since you’re interested in forage, the three groups are so different. The boys are not good foragers at all. I assume they would be better foragers if they had hens but on their own they are not interested. They have tons of vegetation in the netted area but I have to mow it down periodically and I never see them eat it. The layers and ducks are great foragers, but we have too many predators for them to get out as much as I’d like. The ducks have a pond that is a predator magnet and currently has a snapping turtle who showed up so the poor ducks are stuck in the coop/run. The guineas are fantastic foragers. When they get out all day, their feed consumption drops to 1/4 or less of what they eat if confined.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Rooster flock has access to larger poultry netted area all day. I’ve marked them all - thanks!

Since you’re interested in forage, the three groups are so different. The boys are not good foragers at all. I assume they would be better foragers if they had hens but on their own they are not interested. They have tons of vegetation in the netted area but I have to mow it down periodically and I never see them eat it. The layers and ducks are great foragers, but we have too many predators for them to get out as much as I’d like. The ducks have a pond that is a predator magnet and currently has a snapping turtle who showed up so the poor ducks are stuck in the coop/run. The guineas are fantastic foragers. When they get out all day, their feed consumption drops to 1/4 or less of what they eat if confined.

Forage is follow up, but this helps me make better Answers. Thank you

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Update.
and excellent idea Shadrach! Doing that now.