Feed Management Methods [Poll]

[3KillerBs]

FWIW, some people with backyard flocks have houses on sandy soil which means only certain types of plants grow. You might want to ask about soil + forage.

I expect that there will be a lot of future data collection in re: conditions.

 

[Ribh]

I expect that there will be a lot of future data collection in re: conditions

Yes. Technically mine have a 1/4 acre. Realistically The Campines & Vorwerks have 3/4 of an acre as they utislise my neighbours' yards. Neither minds. One has chickens of her own & doesn't mind the occasional visitor. The other is actively encouraging them since they cleaned up her grasshopper problem. Also, as this is an established garden, there is vertical space as well as horizontal space. I've got 1/2 a dozen tree huggers.

 

[MaryJanet]

Yes. Technically mine have a 1/4 acre. Realistically The Campines & Vorwerks have 3/4 of an acre as they utislise my neighbours' yards. Neither minds. One has chickens of her own & doesn't mind the occasional visitor. The other is actively encouraging them since they cleaned up her grasshopper problem. Also, as this is an established garden, there is vertical space as well as horizontal space. I've got 1/2 a dozen tree huggers.

Another interesting question is "how big is your secure coop + run?" Because some of those folks who never let their chooks out would have large runs to make up for it.

And another thought, so far Australians, maybe kiwis too, have not had to worry about bird flu. Whereas many others have to keep their chooks in because of the risk.

 

[tripletfeb]

@U_Stormcrow have you thought about the avian flu? Meaning, people that normally free range might not be doing so right now and that might flaw the data, depending on how they vote

 

[BDutch]

I’m obliged to keep the chickens inside a run because we still have cases of HPAI in the Netherlands. HPAI is not near but I am risking a fine letting them free range outside the run. Nevertheless I let them free a few hours each day. Because it’s making the hens happy and I believe it’s keeping them healthy doing so.
Also bc there are no greens in the run anymore due to the time they had/have to stay locked in.

Our garden is not fenced and the chickens roam around in an endless environment 1-3 hours each day. Behind our garden (400m2) there is a large municipality plot that is getting mowed only once a year. They won’t go very far if I let them free range at the end of the day.

I also bring fresh grass / herb clippings to them in the secure area every morning The grasses are a treat for them.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

@U_Stormcrow have you thought about the avian flu? Meaning, people that normally free range might not be doing so right now and that might flaw the data, depending on how they vote

I have considered AI, yes. Any slice of data is always unique to a particular moment in time. Its also unique to the respondants, currently representing some of BYC's most active and experienced posters, rather than the larger community. Part of why I am seeking more people to respond.

If others could be gently nudged in this direction, some good data collection might be useful to all of us offering tips to the typical about how to keep and care for our birds.
I will do additional poll(s) in the coming week(s) to capture more generalized information. I'm planning one on composition (age/gender) of the flock, and another on composition of the forage.

 

[Painted Calls]

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

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I may have answered wrong on 3 of my 4 answers. I have several (I believe I'm up to 20, could be more or less) pens of various sizes.

One flock has a mostly secure place to sleep, however I don't shut them in at night and they are more than able to leave during the night if they wish or are spooked. I feed and water them daily, but that is all. I consider that to be as feral as one can get here considering it's Montana amd they won't survive without feed being provided especially in winter. They don't eat nearly as much as my other groups do per bird though.

One flock free ranges everyday and is put in a cop and run at night. I am on 20 acres, but the only use at the absolute most, maybe 5, likely closer to 1 or 2. There are about 14 in this group, will be raised to likely 19 or 20 in a few weeks.*

3 groups are allowed out occasionally into the same space as above. There are about 60-70 youngsters being less than 4 months and 1 angry ancient bantam.*

The rest are confined all the time except when they slip through the door for some grazing.

*I am unsure if the provided acreage brings this from <1000 Sq feet to >1000 Sq feet. It would if they used all 20 acres, but seeing as they don't, I don't believe so.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I may have answered wrong on 3 of my 4 answers. I have several (I believe I'm up to 20, could be more or less) pens of various sizes.

One flock has a mostly secure place to sleep, however I don't shut them in at night and they are more than able to leave during the night if they wish or are spooked. I feed and water them daily, but that is all. I consider that to be as feral as one can get here considering it's Montana amd they won't survive without feed being provided especially in winter. They don't eat nearly as much as my other groups do per bird though.

One flock free ranges everyday and is put in a cop and run at night. I am on 20 acres, but the only use at the absolute most, maybe 5, likely closer to 1 or 2. There are about 14 in this group, will be raised to likely 19 or 20 in a few weeks.*

3 groups are allowed out occasionally into the same space as above. There are about 60-70 youngsters being less than 4 months and 1 angry ancient bantam.*

The rest are confined all the time except when they slip through the door for some grazing.

*I am unsure if the provided acreage brings this from <1000 Sq feet to >1000 Sq feet. It would if they used all 20 acres, but seeing as they don't, I don't believe so.

On the first flock, because you provide shelter, feed and water (even if they don't always use them) and they have the potential of 20 acres, I consider that identical to my own keeping.

"My Flock Free Ranges, and is only secure overnight." (I rarely shut the coop door, except during hurricane warnings and similar extreme weather events)

The second group the same.

The "three groups" would be >1,000 sq ft per bird, for whatever time you offer.

The rest would be "Never Ranges".

The intent of "Feral" was to capture those flocks (such as in Hawaii, South Florida, the Islands, elsewhere) where ownership is "ambiguous", people may offer treats (intentionally or not, like the cat/dog food for the family pet on the back porch), but the flock ranges over the property of multiple owners, and obtains the vast majority of its needs (food, water, shelter) without from human intervention. In short, if there were no humans, would the flock likely continue?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

On the first flock, because you provide shelter, feed and water (even if they don't always use them) and they have the potential of 20 acres, I consider that identical to my own keeping.

"My Flock Free Ranges, and is only secure overnight." (I rarely shut the coop door, except during hurricane warnings and similar extreme weather events)

The second group the same.

The "three groups" would be >1,000 sq ft per bird, for whatever time you offer.

The rest would be "Never Ranges".

The intent of "Feral" was to capture those flocks (such as in Hawaii, South Florida, the Islands, elsewhere) where ownership is "ambiguous", people may offer treats (intentionally or not, like the cat/dog food for the family pet on the back porch), but the flock ranges over the property of multiple owners, and obtains the vast majority of its needs (food, water, shelter) without from human intervention. In short, if there were no humans, would the flock likely continue?

Ahh, okay. I'll go change that real quick