Feeding chickens corn

[southerndesert]

I find this very interesting and much how chickens were kept by my Grandparents and great grandparents. They simply tossed out some corn and scraps daily and the birds fended for themselves on the farm the rest of the day and laid eggs just fine....

No one ever worried about the chickens unless we were hungry

Seems over caring for them is the way for many these days and the old KISS method somewhat lost. Not criticizing in any way, just saying....

Nice to know your birds are doing great with just corn and free range, but not surprised really....

 

[Fred's Hens]

Quote:
Sure, in the 1920's-1950's, my grandmother kept hens and they fended for themselves for much of their feed. Cow pies, scraps, slop, spilled grains, weed seed, bugs, etc. Grandma also likely never, ever got more than 200 eggs a year from her hens either. The older generations were content with that. Remember also that the genetics have changed. All the birds Grandma kept were "heritage" birds. I'm not sure she'd recognize my hatchery birds, of the same breeds, today.

 

[TigerLilly]

Fred's Hens :

Quote:
Sure, in the 1920's-1950's, my grandmother kept hens and they fended for themselves for much of their feed. Cow pies, scraps, slop, spilled grains, weed seed, bugs, etc. Grandma also likely never, ever got more than 200 eggs a year from her hens either. The older generations were content with that. Remember also that the genetics have changed. All the birds Grandma kept were "heritage" birds. I'm not sure she'd recognize my hatchery birds, of the same breeds, today.

x2​

 

[Nicole01]

I give cracked corn everyday as a treat only. They have access to feed 24/7. My RIR laid her 10th egg in a row, I get 6-7 eggs a week from my sussex and my EE lays 4-6 eggs a week. I give them a bowl full in the morning with sunflower seeds mixed and sometimes I give a second batch in the afternoon if I don't have any fruit. I think my girls are laying too frequently and I hope they don't burn out at 2-3 years.

 

[southerndesert]

Fred's Hens :

Quote:
Sure, in the 1920's-1950's, my grandmother kept hens and they fended for themselves for much of their feed. Cow pies, scraps, slop, spilled grains, weed seed, bugs, etc. Grandma also likely never, ever got more than 200 eggs a year from her hens either. The older generations were content with that. Remember also that the genetics have changed. All the birds Grandma kept were "heritage" birds. I'm not sure she'd recognize my hatchery birds, of the same breeds, today.

I agree completely and am likely guilty of over care more than anything, but still not surprised by the fact it can still be done without all the fancy feeds and other goodies we in the good old USA have access to and sometimes think our birds can't live without....

For us it is about production and if I can use feeds that boost same I use it....

But if I lived where these feeds are not available or affordable (and that is allot of places) I would still have fresh eggs and chicken on the table

 

[cravenchx]

A couple of tomatoes a day, a handful of grapes,
an ear of corn, cucumbers, squash and pulled greens....
Is this too many treats for 12 week olds? I hope not!
They are still on starter/grower feed also. But like someone
said "The cost of my first egg?" But then again, I love my
chickens! OMG, sorry kids, I love you too!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Quote:
You'll have most folks here tell you that such stuff shouldn't compute to more than 10% of their feed. Personally? I am more ambivalent. I would want them eating a bit more protein than your menu provides, in balance, but really? They'll be just fine.

 

[saladin]

Fred's Hens :

Quote:
Sure, in the 1920's-1950's, my grandmother kept hens and they fended for themselves for much of their feed. Cow pies, scraps, slop, spilled grains, weed seed, bugs, etc. Grandma also likely never, ever got more than 200 eggs a year from her hens either. The older generations were content with that. Remember also that the genetics have changed. All the birds Grandma kept were "heritage" birds. I'm not sure she'd recognize my hatchery birds, of the same breeds, today.

Fred,

Though there are some real differences the time period you cited was the hay-day of Hatcheries in the US and Canada. Most folks that had chickens back then usually bought them from the local hatchery. It was also the time of the Egg Laying Contests that were held all over the US. Huge prizes were being given.
I agree with your statement about the feeding and the amount of eggs being received by most, but the time period you cited was the time of change that brought us to the point we are today.

By the way, I'd guess there was a good chance your Grandma's chickens were healthier and happier on that free-range diet than most chickens today.​

 

[Fred's Hens]

Saladin, I understand. However, my grandmother kept her continuous flock during the period. The basic DNA of her flock no doubt came from the 1880's through tapping into her mother's flock. For "fresh blood", she would have "Pa" pick up a new rooster every three or four years from another farmer over in the next township. One that caught her eye. As a boy in the 1950's, I remember her birds and can recall helping her with the chores. I even remember most of her instructions on their care and keeping. Those instructions were not given in English in those days.

For me the point is that the "modern chicken" oft times lacks the skills to be as self sufficient as the chickens of the 1920's did. Shoot, I have some modern production type birds that could in no way care for themselves. It is also my thought that most of my modern birds have had an awful lot bred out of them. Size, broodiness, body type, personality, etc. From 1880 to the present is a very long time, over 130 years. My modern birds "require" a more "spoon fed" diet, it seems to me. This is just observation on my part.

 

[jennifersouza]

I think we have that situation in Brazil now, Fred. Our birds certainly aren't as precious and seem smarter. Carlos also was telling me if you don't have a good mom for the chicks, they grow up stupid.