Feeding

[rtj18175]

I have adopted a wandering Buff Brahma. She free ranges. She is our only chicken. Do chickens get enough food free ranging? We have bought laying pellets, oyster shell, grit, and crushed pellets. She doesn't eat those since she is free ranging. What next? We also give her bananas, tomatoes which she loves. Also, how warm should we keep her coop? Is 40 degrees warm enough when it gets below zero? I live in Wyoming.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! That's so nice of you to adopt this wandering brahma. While she is free ranging she is likely to ignore the pellets you have for her. It would be better for her to have the pellets as this would give her all the nutrition she needs. Could you pen her up maybe and just have limited free range time? Also have you thought about getting her a friend? Chickens are so much happier when they have company if their own kind. As for keeping her coop warmed you really don't need to. She should have enough feathers to keep her warm they are very good at insulating themselves. As long as your coop is draft free but well ventilated at the top she should be good.

Wishing you the very best of luck in the future.
Enjoy BYC

 

[rtj18175]

thank you for your response! I feel better!

This is her coop. We have a roosting bar and a shelf with straw where she sleeps. there is a ramp that exits out the back into the small garden area and large yard where she feeds. I will try to find a friend for her. She does like being around us for company. The coop is very well insulated and water tight. (It used to be a green house for two blueberry bushes} It was a nice sacrifice for our Chicken! LOL

 

[generaldsherman]

I second the "have you thought about getting her a friend" comment. They really do like to have friends!

 

[Mutt Farm]

Hi! Welcome!

How very nice of you to adopt this very luck hen! Even nicer for you to convert a beautiful coop for her!

Chickens are way more fun than blueberry bushes and they lay egg fruit! Here is a link to your states threads to help you with local husbandry questions and find some keighbors. If you're considering getting a friend for her, you can ask around on these threads to possibly find a nice young healthy flockmate. Best of luck to you!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=Wyoming

 

[trailrider330]

Welcome to the BYC flock! We are glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

She certainly has a beautiful house to live in. I think I would also hold back on the bananas & tomatoes etc. for awhile so she eats her layer feed. Or just give her a tiny bit. so she will still feel hungry. Glad you joined us at Backyard chickens

 

[rtj18175]

thank you for your help. I will do that. Also, we have her food on a shelf in the coop. Should it be on the ground instead? I am not sure where to locate food and water